Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys Offer ATV Safe Driving Tips
Recently, two people were injured, one particularly seriously, in an ATV rollover accident in Bryan County, according to a local news report. Georgia State Patrol reports that an ATV carrying two individuals rolled over at about 8 p.m. on July 26. One person had to be airlifted to the nearest trauma center. The accident comes a few months after another serious ATV accident in August. That accident involved a nine year old girl and her 14 year old sister. The two young children crashed their ATV into a fence, injuring the younger child wherein she required several months of hospitalization.
Staying Safe While Riding on an ATV
ATVs or four wheelers are popular vehicles for both adults and teens. They allow a degree of joyriding and can be a fun sport. These vehicles can also be quite dangerous, especially for teens and younger children. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) (downloads a PDF report) reports that over 13,000 ATV related fatalities happened since 1982. The past two years have yet to be included in this figure. Children are the most common victims of deadly ATV accidents and almost half of all ATV deaths involve children under the age of 12. The following is a look at some safe driving tips, among others recommended by the CPSC, that will help allow you to enjoy your ATV in a safe manner:
- Take a training course: One of the most important things you can do is take a formal training course that will educate you, with hands on instruction, how to safely ride an ATV.
- Wear protective gear at all times: The majority of all fatal ATV accidents involve head injuries. Wearing a helmet that is certified by the United States Department of Transportation or the Snell Memorial Foundation can protect your head in the event of a crash. It is also important to wear goggles, gloves, long pants, and a long sleeve shirt to protect yourself against cuts and lacerations that can occur due to rocks, trees, and other debris.
- Do not allow children to drive or ride on adult ATVs: Children should not be permitted to either drive or ride on adult sized ATVs. Most ATV accident victims are young children. Young children do not have the coordination or skill required to safely operate an ATV and are at risk, due to their small size, in the event of a crash. Keep children away from these vehicles until they are old enough to safely operate them and to appreciate the risks.
- Do not put passengers on an ATV or ride as a passenger: Most ATVs are designed for just one person. ATVs require the driver to shift his or her weight to accommodate the terrain, something that is not possible with a passenger. Even if the ATV is authorized for more than one person, adding a passenger can be dangerous and could even make the vehicle difficult to control.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys Representing ATV Accident Victims
If you or your loved one has been injured in an ATV accident, the Personal Injury Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, are here to help. Our firm has over 39 years of experience in the industry and we accept cases across Georgia and in the Southeast. The sooner you act after your accident, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery for your injuries. As such, do not delay in seeking legal assistance. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/ATV-accident-sends-2-young-girls-to-hospital-303188301.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/ATV-Safety-Information-Center/