ATV Accident Death and Injury Statistics – South Dakota

The Black Hills region of South Dakota has seen an increase in deaths from crashes involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). This roster of fatalities includes a 51-year-old man from Black Hawk who died when he lost control while driving his ATV on a paved road. Also, an 11-year-old boy from Edgemont died when the ATV that he was a passenger on struck a hole and rolled. Further, an 84-year old rancher died when his ATV rolled on him while he was checking his cattle on pasture land.

While each of these deaths occurred under different circumstance, the victims were of different ages, and the ATVs were on different terrains, there was one thing in common: the ATV itself.

ATV Death and Injury Statistics in South Dakota

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 712 people died each year in ATV-related accidents between 2001-2008. 144 of those deaths were children under the age of 16. In South Dakota, the commission reports that 72 people died in ATV accidents between 1982 and 2011, 12 of which were children under the age of 16.

The Severity of Accidents

ATV accidents are often severe. In cases of accidents that don’t cause death, hand, and arm injuries are the most common, with neck and injuries closely behind. However, there are times when defective parts, oil spills, petrol leaks, and other incidents result in the ATV exploding or catching fire. In these cases, the injuries are more severe and result in first, second, and third-degree burns and even death.

While no one can argue that ATVs aren’t useful and fun, particularly in a rural area like the western part of South Dakota, ATVs are still dangerous vehicles that require safety equipment, helmets, proper training, and expert handling.

What’s more, it is clear that there is an inherent danger in riding ATVs. Just like motorcycles, these vehicles do not have the protective cage a typical vehicle body offers, and they are more prone to rolling over. What’s more, the variety of places and ways in which ATVs are driven tends to heighten the odds that accidents occur, and in turn, severe injuries and explosions are likely.

This year alone there have been several manufacturers recalls due to ATV model’s fire hazards. Just recently in June, Kawasaki issued a recall of more than 6,000 all-terrain and off-road vehicles. The vehicles have been recalled due to a possible hairline crack in the fuel level sensor plate which could lead to the pump separating from the tank and leading to a fuel leakage and therefore an increased risk of fire.

Overall, ATV fires and explosions tend to prove extremely fatal, and an experience ATV accident attorney can help a victim determine liability in a compensation case.