ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics - Alabama

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was a total of 336 ATV-related fatalities reported between 1982 and 2015 in Alabama. The state ranked #18 on a list that included Texas and California on top. There is no state agency that regulates the use and safety of all-terrain vehicles.

The Alabama Statutes include one provision for the use of an ATV or motor vehicle in general. It cannot be operated on a beach or dune near the Gulf of Mexico. Riders must not venture off public roads, parking places, and driveways, except for the owners of private property and their families and guests. A vehicle can be driven on sand only if it is used for construction, maintenance, or repair of a facility designated for utility purposes. On construction sites, such vehicles can be used where building permits have been issued by the appropriate authority or building inspector.

Violation of the provisions of the statute is a Class C misdemeanor. In Alabama, this can mean a fine of up to $500 unless the defendant seeks pecuniary gain or the victim suffered a significant loss. Reckless driving can also lead to a 90-day sentence in jail. Repeat offenders can get up to six months of incarceration, according to the Greenville Advocate.

ATV Accidents in Alabama

On July 15, 2017, three people were hurt in a wreck that involved an all-terrain vehicle on Highway 155 in Chilton County, according to state trooper reports. A vehicle had reportedly struck three ATVs, severely injuring several people. The trend of operating such vehicles on public roads is being seen in the state as it is elsewhere in the country.

On April 30, a crash in Coosa County killed a 38-year-old man. The vehicle overturned and the individual was thrown from the vehicle in a crash believed to have involved speed and alcohol. In November 2014, an ATV was struck by an SUV, killing a husband and wife in Greene County. The driver of the other vehicle, a 2007 Cadillac Escalade, was not injured.

Fires involving all-terrain vehicles are not rare in the state. In June, an ATV fire was reported and, although firefighters from Andalusia and other communities responded, an entire home burned down. A year earlier, two all-terrain vehicles caught fire on Interstate 10 after falling off a trailer, backing up traffic for miles.

Statistically, more accidents happen in the summer months. Many incidents occur because drivers are navigating paved roads, where ATVs are inherently unstable, or the driver is too young, inexperienced, or unfamiliar with safety. A collision, impact, or rollover increases the risk of a fire, especially if the exhaust or fuel line is damaged. Helmets and other safety gear should always be worn when riding to minimize the risk of major injuries.