Riding an ATV has become a popular pastime in Minnesota, in particular because of the number of ATV trails available in the northern part of our state. While ATVs are fun to ride and useful for working or hunting, too often injuries result from an accident involving an ATV. The vast majority of ATV accidents result in a serious injury to the head or spinal cord, including traumatic brain injury or paralysis.
ATV DEATHS
Most all terrain vehicle deaths result from the vehicle overturning or hitting something. Since the introduction of ATVs, more than 6,000 people have lost their lives in accidents involving all terrain vehicles. It is expected that close to a thousand people across the country will die this year on an ATV, with tens of thousands more injured. As these machines get bigger and faster, the injuries sustained by riders and passengers get more severe.
POOR DESIGN RESULTING IN ATV ACCIDENTS
The vast majority of ATV accidents are a direct result of poor design on the part of the manufacturer. A prime example involves the introduction of the three-wheeler in the early 1980’s. Despite knowledge of the risks associated with these machines, manufactures continued to produce and sell millions of them. Even though none have been produced since 1987, many are still in use today. More recently, the Yamaha Rhino has come under scrutiny for its propensity to rollover and poor safety design.
DAMAGES RECOVERABLE IN AN ATV ACCIDENT
Minnesota law does not require ATV operators to carry insurance, however many do. If you are involved in an accident with another ATV driver and that individual has an insurance policy, you may be able to recover money for lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering from his or her insurance carrier – if they were at fault for the collision. In ATV defect cases, the source of financial recovery is from the ATV manufacturer, such as Honda, Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat or Kawasaki. Again, wage loss, medical expenses and damages for pain, suffering and disfigurement may be recovered. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded.
TRIAL ATTORNEYS WHO WILL PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS
In every ATV accident case, proving both fault and injury can be difficult. Our attorneys are avid ATV riders and represent clients who have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one as the result of an ATV accident. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured, and their families, and have obtained many favorable settlements. ATV accident cases are accepted on a contingency basis. Consequently, you pay no fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
There are thousands of motor vehicle accidents on Minnesota roads each year. A high percentage of those accidents will result in an injury to the car driver or passengers, including broken bones, burns, paralysis, amputation, traumatic brain injury, whiplash, a herniated disc, spinal cord injury and even wrongful death. Once the six-year statute of limitations expires (two years in wrongful death cases), you lose your right to file a claim.
Minnesota has over 9,000 miles of shoreline and nearly one million registered boats (the largest per capita ownership in the United States). Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans don’t know life without one. Many own two or three, including speed boats, ski boats, jet skis and other personal watercraft. Sadly, this enjoyable local pastime sometimes turns for the worst and boat operators or passengers are killed or injured in an accident on the water.