Dangers of ATVs

ATVs are a popular source of recreation these days, and for good reason.  These vehicles provide individuals and families the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors in a variety of settings.  Tragically, ATV accidents are not uncommon, leading to serious injuries, and even deaths in the worst cases.  If you or a loved one has been harmed due to the recklessness or negligence of an ATV driver or manufacturer, a local personal injury attorney may be able to help.

Where do ATV Accidents Occur?

Because ATVs can access so many kinds of terrain, accidents can occur virtually anywhere.  Statistically speaking,the majority of issues—nearly one-third—occur on pavement.  Unpaved roads, pastures and fields, woodlands, and even sand dunes all see their fair share of ATV accidents, as well.

ATV Accident Statistics 

Inexperienced riders are 13 times more likely to be involved in an accident than an experienced peer.  There are over 100,000 injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms due to ATV accidents annually.  Roughly a quarter of them involve children under the age of 16.  What kinds of injuries are we talking about?

• More than 31,000 involve injuries to the hands and arms;
• Over 30,000 relate to rider’s head or neck;
• Foot and leg injuries plague over 20,000.

The Mississippi numbers are heartbreaking: injury rates are moving up for children in the state (50 per 100,000), and are virtually double the injury rates for adults (25 per 100,000).

Injuries are bad enough.  Unfortunately, there are hundreds of ATV related fatalities nationwide every year, as well.  Over one in ten deaths involves a child under the age of 16.

In Mississippi, 43 percent of fatalities related to ATVs involve individuals under age 22.  Males account for 80 percent of Mississippi ATV fatalities; 

What Makes ATVs so Dangerous? 

Because ATVs are motorized and can travel at speeds as high as 65 mph or faster, and because adult vehicles weigh as much as 600 pounds, the machines can be deadly if they overturn or crash into trees or other objects.  Accidents may be the result of machine malfunction, excessive speed for the conditions, or individuals riding a machine that is simply too big for them to handle. Safety tips include:

• Wear proper protective gear, including a helmet, gloves, boots, and clothing that covers your body completely;
• Get proper training before taking charge of an ATV;
• Only permit the number of riders for which the machine was designed;
• Do not allow young children to ride a machine designed for adults;
• Avoid riding on paved roads;
• Provide proper supervision for young or inexperienced riders;
• Avoid attempting daredevil stunts;
• Perform regular maintenance tasks and safety inspections.

Following a Serious Accident

If you or a family member has suffered serious injuries or death as a result of an ATV accident, it may be possible to recover damages from responsible parties.  Now more than ever, you need a heavy hitting attorney.  Contact the aggressive Jackson personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Derek L. Hall, PC for a free, confidential consultation today.

 

Resource:

msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/resources/3777.pdf

https://www.dlhattorneys.com/deadly-mississippi-collisions/

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Motorist Behavior that Endangers Big Rigs and Everyone Else

There’s likely not a driver among us who hasn’t felt a twinge of impatience while navigating Mississippi’s highways when traffic is heavy, or when construction cones force vehicles to merge into fewer lanes than necessary for maximum speeds.  All too frequently, driver frustration leads to menacing behaviors behind the wheel, like weaving quickly between vehicles, tailgating, and racing forward only to have to suddenly lay on the brakes.  This unpredictable behavior on the road can be incredibly dangerous. Driver impatience, which often turns into a form of road rage that is characterized by recklessness, can turn an otherwise uneventful commute into a tragedy, particularly when road rage with a big rig six or seven times a typical passenger vehicle’s weight occurs. Often the raging driver escapes without a dent, while  sadly, neighboring motorists and truck drivers suffer unspeakable harm.  Surely, every commuter is entitled to a safe and courteous experience on Mississippi roadways.  The same is true for drivers of eighteen-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles.  When your safety is put at risk by the recklessness of an impatient motorist, it might be a good idea to discuss the incident with a local personal injury attorney.

Motorists can be Oblivious 

According to truckers across the country, the idea of displaying courtesy toward a big rig is a thing of the past.  Every single day, these big rigs are forced to deal with motorists who zigzag around them, often failing to signal their intent.  When forced to merge, passenger vehicles frequently zoom to get ahead of these massive trucks, compelling truck drivers to slam on their brakes instead of peacefully taking their turn with other merging vehicles.  This can lead to serious problems:

• As the big rig makes a sudden slow down or swerves to avoid a passenger vehicle, it may experience a shifting load. When the imbalance is severe enough, the rig might actually overturn;
• It may be impossible for a truck driver to control the several tons of rigging behind him or her, which could mean the rig jackknifes, rolls, or collides into neighboring vehicles or obstacles;
• The braking system may not be able to handle such sudden extreme requirements, leading to long skids that are out of control.

It’s a Whole Other Animal

The problem is, these big rigs are more than just larger, heavier vehicles.  Driving them is not just a modification of typical driving.  It takes significantly longer for them to slow down; drivers have much more limited vision behind and to the sides; and accidents can occur with much less provocation and can result in much more serious consequences, all because of the size and mass of the rigs.  Motorists should be courteous in all driving situations, but particularly in the face of the extreme challenges of tractor-trailers, eighteen-wheelers,  and other huge commercial trucks.

Contact an Attorney Today for Help

If a combination of recklessness and a big rig has led to an accident with serious injuries, you need a heavy hitter fighting for justice on your behalf.  Contact the Jackson 18-wheeler accident attorneys at the office of Derek L. Hall, PC today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

 

Resource:

jacksonville.com/news/2017-01-01/truckers-road-rage-getting-worse-not-better

https://www.dlhattorneys.com/18-wheelers-involved-in-serious-accidents/

from Motorist Behavior that Endangers Big Rigs and Everyone Else https://www.dlhattorneys.com/motorist-behavior-that-endangers-big-rigs-and-everyone-else/
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