ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics – Pennsylvania

It is reported that between 300 and 400 ATV-related deaths occur in the United States every year. Many of these accidents are a result of ATV fires or explosions. In June 2017, Kawasaki, particularly, recalled more than 6,000 off-road and all-terrain vehicles due to fire hazards. This recall comprised a range on 2017 models of the Brute Force 750 all-terrain vehicles and also Mule utility vehicles, Teryx and Teryx4 off-highway vehicles. Both the UTV and ATV models have been recalled due to a potential hairline crack on the fuel level sensor plates which could lead to the pump separating from the tank and a fuel leakage occurring, resulting in an increased fire risk.

Pennsylvania ATV Accident Deaths and Injuries

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 682 people died in ATV accidents in Pennsylvania between 1982 and 2014. In fact, during this period, the state ranked fourth in the nation in ATV fatalities. Nationwide, though, around 100,000 injuries and 650 deaths involving all-terrain vehicles happen every year.

ATV vehicles, including quads, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, and even snow mobiles, can be great fun in terms of recreational vehicles, and Pennsylvania is not short on space to ride these types of vehicles. UTVs are also great for outdoor entertainment and farm work. But, the off-road vehicles can be incredibly dangerous, particularly on steep terrain, when ridden by inexperienced or negligent drivers, and when defective parts lead to fires and explosions. Ideally, the off-road vehicles should be designed to avoid spilling gas on impact, but this is not always the case.

More Recalls

For example, in 2016, more than 100 off-road vehicles manufactured by Polaris surprisingly burst into flames, reportedly killing at least one rider, and injuring many others.  The company recalled more than 130,000 off road vehicles, rendering it one of the largest off-road vehicle recalls in history. Overall, the RZR models were involved in over 160 fires. CPSC officials at the time blamed the fire hazard on the model’s faulty fuel tank line which could be pinched and result in the tank pressurizing and leaking fuel. In its recall announcement, CPSC officials stated that 19 reports of injuries involving these vehicles included people who suffered a combination of first, second, and third-degree burns.

Decreasing ATV-Related Injuries

There is a range of methods that can be employed to decrease ATV-related injuries, such as public awareness, legislation, education, modifications in vehicle design, and hands-on training. However, it is up to the ATV manufacturers to limit the number of fatalities by ensuring that vehicles are well designed for safety and parts are not defective. However, it must be noted that during a fatal collision, it may be near impossible to avoid gas spills and sudden explosions which, sadly, can result in serious burns and severe injuries to riders.