Have you or someone you love been seriously injured in an ATV accident? The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C. represents people who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries or who have been crushed by an overturned ATV. Our firm also seeks compensation for individuals that are injured due to ATV malfunctions or defective parts.
If you’ve been injured in an ATV accident, contact a San Diego personal injury lawyer at The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C. today.
An attorney may help if:
- Long delays are occurring in settling your claim
- The insurance company doesn’t compensate you fully
- The insurance company or government entity you are suing refuses to pay
- The party you are suing does not have insurance
ATV Rollover and Accident Information
Because of their weight, speed and stability problems, ATVs can cause serious injuries to their riders. ATVs have a high center of gravity, short wheel bases, and high ground clearance, making them more prone to roll over. When an ATV rolls over, it can cause numerous types of crushing injuries, resulting in broken bones, paralysis and death.
Between Jan. 1, 1982, and Dec. 31, 2009, the Consumer Products Safety Commission received reports of 10,281 deaths related to ATV accidents. During that same time, 2,674 of those killed, or 26 percent, were children younger than 16 years old and 1,140 children were younger than age 12.
The number of ATV-related injuries treated in emergency departments in 2009 alone was 131,900.
Severe trauma to the head and spine from ATV accidents are increasing, according to a study by two University of Utah neurosurgeons. While people in all age groups are injured by ATV accidents, researchers said they found that children and young people were disproportionately affected. This age group, they discovered, accounted for 42 percent of those sustaining head and neck injuries.
The research was done by two neurosurgeons, Joel MacDonald, M.D., and Michael Finn, M.D. They found in their study that rollovers were the most common accidents among ATV users, followed by accidents where the vehicle crashed into stationary objects or other vehicles.
When two people ride an ATV, even though it was built as a two-person vehicle, the vehicle is more likely to roll over. Passengers can affect the stability and driver’s control of an ATV.
Contact a San Diego ATV Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has suffered crush injuries, broken bones, head trauma, or any other type of serious injury in an ATV accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the cost of the injury as well as your pain and suffering. You might also be eligible for compensation to cover lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working.
To learn more, contact a San Diego ATV accident lawyer today.