Common ATV Accident Injuries Overview

While all-terrain vehicles (ATV) are popular for recreational use and often used for work purposes, too, they are dangers and often prone to accidents, fires and explosions. While you may think that these kinds of occurrences are a thing of the past because of heightened attention to safe construction and design, ATC injuries still happen. One such example is a particular ATV being recalled due to an increased risk of fire because of a fuel line sensor plate defect. A potential hairline crack in the sensor plate can cause the pump to separate from the tank, leading to fuel leaks and a high risk of fire and explosion. Another vehicle is being recalled because of defective suspension. The front suspension ball joint stem may separate from the steering knuckle and result in a rider losing steering control. Other off-road vehicles have been recalled due to the rear wheels having the potential to lock up and cause a rider to lose control. Injuries sustained from an all-terrain vehicle accident or fire can be significant. The most common types of injuries include:

ATV Fire and Explosion Injuries

Some of the most common defects that can lead to fires and explosions include a faulty fuel line, unsafe gas tank positioning, fuel systems and tanks that leak, poor vehicle wiring, and poor design that fails to protects the engine in case of a massive impact, resulting in an explosion. Vehicle fires and explosions typically cause different kinds of burns, including:

  • Thermal burns
  • Contact and scald burns
  • Electrical burns
  • Flash burns

Burn injuries typically have long-lasting effects, victims sometimes requiring years of rehabilitation and reconstruction to recover, depending on the severity of the injury.

About ATV Traumatic Head Injuries

Many of these vehicles’ construction and design defects involve the brakes and steering systems. A rider can quickly lose control of the vehicle if either the brakes or steering system perform inadequately. Not being able to stop or steer means that the rider can do nothing in an attempt to avoid obstacles such as walls, trees, or even farm equipment. A crash can be severe and violent, and the impact can result in injuries ranging from head trauma to brain injuries and more, including:

  • A fractured skull
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Subdural hematoma
  • Diffuse axonal injury
  • Epidural hematoma
  • Cerebral contusion

Crush Injuries

On some of these off-road vehicle models, the center of gravity is particularly high. What’s more, riders are not always properly warned of the degree of incline that the vehicle can or cannot handle. When the vehicle rolls over, parts of the rider’s body could be crushed, resulting in:

  • Internal organ damage
  • Severe back injuries
  • Shattered wrists
  • Crushed legs
  • Broken arms and ribs

A driver may unintentionally roll a vehicle when attempting to use an embankment to control it if the rear wheels, for example, have jammed.

Accident Compensation

The process of claiming compensation for your injuries is the same as a vehicle accident claim. If the accident was not your fault and you incurred injuries severe enough to have necessitated medical treatment, you can claim compensation, provided the accident was a result of a negligent party. While these vehicles can be driven safely by experienced riders, inexperience tends to play a part in many accidents, and even the smallest error of judgment can lead to severe injuries. If you are the injured party, it is your responsibility to prove that a third party was liable for the accident, whether it was another driver, a pedestrian, a mechanic for failing to adequately conduct repairs or even the vehicle manufacturer. You will need to provide proof of your injuries, too, so be sure to document them in the form of photographs and medical reports. A personal injury attorney can help with collecting evidence of negligence to ensure you receive the compensation you may be entitled to.