ATV Product Liability Lawyers

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), also known as quads or four-wheelers, are popular sport and utility vehicles that many people of all ages enjoy in the summer months. Not only are they fun to ride, but they also help with farming, hunting, camping, transporting materials, and even plowing. 

Despite their advantages and the recreational benefits they offer, these vehicles are potentially dangerous for the rider, especially if they’re traveling at high speeds. Sadly, between 1982 and 2017, more than 15,000 people lost their lives in ATV-related accidents, and countless others suffered painful injuries. 

Operator error is commonly to blame for ATV accidents, but there have been cases where manufacturer defects have caused experienced riders to lose control and crash. In some cases, these manufacturers intentionally choose to loosen their safety guidelines to cut costs and bolster their profit margin, but the end result is an inferior product with the potential to injure the person who purchased it. 

Their mistake isn’t your burden to bear, and if you were injured by their negligence, our attorneys are here to help. We aren’t afraid of any negligent organization, regardless of their size or influence, allowing you to reach the best possible with ease. Contact us today to get started.

Types of ATV Accidents

Whether you use your ATV for work or pleasure, if it wasn’t designed or manufactured properly, you can get seriously injured. For example: 

• The ATV can roll over due to defective wheels or poor weight distribution
• The driver can get pinned under the roll bar
• The operator can be fully or partially ejected
• The ATV can overheat and catch fire, causing burn injuries
• The suspension may be too soft to hold a hill

Rollovers are the most common cause of injury. When this happens, the driver can be thrown from the vehicle, or even crushed underneath its weight.

Common ATV Injuries

Because ATVs travel at high speeds and lack a protective enclosing, injuries can be devastating. Common types of ailments sustained include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (if the driver’s head is impacted in a crash or rollover, they can sustain severe injuries ranging from a concussion to a skull fracture)
• Paralysis
• Amputation
• Severe burns
• Broken Bones
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Nerve Damage
• Internal Bleeding
• Death

How Common Are ATV Accidents?

ATV accidents happen every year, with reports estimating that more than 135,000 injuries occur annually. Among these injured, 300–400 deaths result from ATV accidents or collisions, and in most cases, these are young children below the age of 16. Even experienced riders can quickly lose control, as the off-road terrain beneath the wheels of an ATV can shift rapidly while a rider passes overhead, or they can lose control of the vehicle and come into contact with an object or, worse, an oncoming car. 

Those same experienced riders stand no chance against an ATV that contains a manufacturing defect. There’s no telling what the end result will be, and you might not know that your vehicle has a problem until it’s too late. Accidents happen, but no one should suffer an injury because of someone else’s negligence, especially when it’s an organization that has the resources to do the right thing. 

How Can I Tell if My ATV Was Recalled?

While you may own an ATV, there’s no need to worry unless you find your specific brand on the Consumer Repair’s website. Through here, you can scroll through the most recent recalls affecting the industry and keep yourself informed about the products in your home. You should also thoroughly research the products you’re going to buy before you make any final decisions, ensuring that you don’t wind up with a dangerous or defective product.

Recent ATV Recalls

Over the years, numerous ATVs have been recalled due to manufacturing and design defects. Notably, in 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled 2,800 units of the Polaris Scrambler ATV, citing issues with the throttle release switch. A year earlier, the CPSC recalled about 7,000 Yamaha vehicles, likewise due to throttle safety issues.

Sadly, some recalls occur well after users have been injured.

Damages Available in ATV Product Liability Lawsuits

If you were injured in a defective four-wheeler, you may be eligible for damages in a product liability lawsuit, including:

• Medical expenses (e.g., hospital bills, surgery, medication, therapy, and rehabilitation)
• Lost wages if you can no longer go to work due to your injury
• Diminished earning capacity if you can no longer continue your current career path 
• Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional pain you’ve endured
• Wrongful death if you are filing a lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who has passed

Contact an ATV Product Liability Attorney

Injuries resulting from a defective ATV can cause significant physical, financial, and emotional suffering. If you’ve been hurt or lost a loved one in an ATV accident, contact the product liability attorneys at Morgan & Morgan.

Schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today. There’s no risk to you: It costs nothing to hire us, and we get paid only if you win.