ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics – North Carolina

The beautiful countryside of North Carolina encourages many people to participate in outdoor exploration. ATVs are off-road vehicles that are perfect for the purpose.

While ATVs can contribute to some truly pleasant experiences, certain risks are also linked to their use. In an attempt to boost ATV safety, the state has introduced an array of regulations.

Underage ATV drivers are required to possess a certificate of successful completion of a safety course. Individuals under the age of 12 are prohibited from operating ATVs. People under the age of 16 cannot operate an ATV of over 90cc. Visual supervision by an adult will also be required.

Regardless of these safety measures, ATV accidents are still occurring in the state. Some of these lead to serious injuries and fatalities.

ATV Death and Injury Statistics

In the period from 1982 to 2012, the state has had 428 ATV crashes with a fatal outcome. This fact puts it in the top 10 of the states that see the biggest number of deadly ATV crashes. From 2013 to 2015, the number of ATV-related fatalities was 32.

Statistics about child fatalities are even more troubling. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports that between 2000 and 2011, 78 children have died in ATV crashes. Children in two age groups – 10 to 14 and 15 to 17 – accounted for the biggest number of fatal accidents.

Only 17 percent of the children killed in the crashes were wearing helmets. At the same time, head injuries have accounted for 34 of the deaths.

ATV Crashes, Injuries and Fire Hazard

ATVs have one peculiar characteristic – their design makes them prone to malfunctions, flipping over and spontaneous combustion. A North Carolina State University grounds crew ATV caught fire in 2015. Investigators believe that the heat of the engine caused mulch underneath the vehicle to burn. Fortunately, nobody was hurt in the accident.

The lack of safety gear and inexperience are two of the most common causes of ATV accidents other than malfunctions.

In May 2017, a man was killed in Cary after his ATV struck a fence and flipped over. The man, aged 47, was ejected from the vehicle and found dead at a nearby property.

An 18-year-old college student lost her life in an ATV accident near Youngsville. Miranda Wheeler was an outdoor enthusiast according to her classmates, and she enjoyed both fishing and hunting.

This isn’t the only recent case of a young person losing their life in such an accident. In September 2016, a 12-year-old girl was killed in an ATV crash. The girl and another teenager were both ejected from a Polaris ATV. No helmets were worn on the ride, which could have contributed to the severity of the accident.