ATV accident Death and Injury Statistics - Florida

Off-roading vehicles are gaining popularity in Florida. These All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are small, single-rider vehicles are supposed to be used for travel and recreation in off-road settings, and it’s illegal to ride them on paved streets in Florida. However, in recent years, South Florida has seen off-road vehicles such as dirt bikes and ATVs taking over the streets for unsanctioned rides in a movement called #BikesUpGunsDown. Florida law enforcement warns drivers of a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to off-road vehicles on paved streets.

Hazards and accidents have led to fires, explosions, serious injury, and even death. It is important to wear protective gear such as helmets, gloves, and goggles. According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, Florida is one of the top 10 states where people die in ATV accidents. The state has seen a total of 576 fatalities due to ATV accidents between 1982 and 2015.

Florida Deaths

July 2017 - Madison Sams, 16, died after the ATV she was riding crashed in Bradford County. Sams and a 14-year-old girl were riding an ATV when it flipped over and pinned them both. Sams was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other girl was flown to UF Health in Jacksonville with serious injuries.

January 2017 - Ramon Jose Hernandez Acevedo, died when he lost control of his ATV while riding on the Palmetto Expressway. He collided with another off-road motorcycle rider and was thrown from his vehicle and hit the pavement. Police say the man was not wearing any protective gear at the time.

August 2017 - William Patrick Anderson, 38, was driving ATVs with a group of friends when he drove into a mud hole and flipped. Anderson became trapped under the vehicle. His friends lifted the vehicle off him, and he was unresponsive. They called 911. Emergency services arrived, and Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene. The group had been drinking, and the victim wore no protective gear.

Serious Injuries

May 2017 - Jack Jernigan, 62, and an 8-year-old passenger crashed an ATV they were riding near Central High School north of Milton. The young passenger, who was seated in front of the driver, grabbed the throttle, causing the vehicle to accelerate. Jernigan tried to avoid an above-ground pool in their yard, but the vehicle struck the pool, flipped over, and landed on top of them. The girl was treated for minor injuries, but Jernigan had to be airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola with serious injuries.

February 2015 - Two people were airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries following a four-wheeler crash in Jupiter Farms.

July 2016 - Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded to an ATV accident in Wellington. The victim suffered traumatic injuries and had to be flown to the hospital via Trauma Hawk.

ATVs Spark Brush Fires in Florida

May 2017 - An ATV started a brush fire in Homestead, burning about 1,000 acres. Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue along with the Florida Forest Service fought the blaze, containing about 40 percent of the fire and letting the rest burn itself out.

April 2017 - The Florida Forest Service also battled an earlier brush fire sparked by an ATV. The fire came close to burning multiple homes in Lehigh Acres before fire crews were able to get it under control. Local residents had seen people riding the ATVs prior to the fire.