ATV Accident Lawyer Philadelphia
All-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, are meant to be fun and enjoyable products. They add a sense of adventure to recreation, and many families use them regularly. However, ATV accidents can end the fun quickly – sometimes permanently. If you or a loved one has had an ATV accident that resulted in serious injury, disability, or death, you need a skilled team of attorneys on your side. The accident lawyers in Philadelphia at Ciccarelli Law Offices can help you determine what caused the ATV accident, whether you can receive compensation, and how much compensation is available.
Why Are ATVs So Dangerous?
People who have ridden ATVs for years might claim it’s easy and safe – no more dangerous than riding a bicycle. However, an all-terrain vehicle is one of the furthest things from a bicycle available. Some ATVs weigh 600 pounds or more, and most of them can reach up to 65 miles per hour. They can also flip over easily, but unlike a bicycle, a flipped ATV can crush the rider and passengers. At the very least, it can result in broken bones, collapsed lungs, and other severe injuries that could take months or even years to heal.
Additionally, ATVs are more dangerous than other vehicles because they aren’t limited to roads, paved areas, or fields. As the name implies, they can be ridden anywhere. Many people ride ATVs in forests or open fields, where accidents are more likely to occur and help may not be immediately accessible. Between 2005 and 2008, about 5% of ATV fatalities occurred on beaches, in deserts, or around sand dunes. These are particularly dangerous locations because of the intense heat and the possibility of falling into a deep sand dune. People who fall into dunes often suffocate before help can be reached.
Common ATV Injuries
Common head and neck injuries include concussions, whiplash, skull, and other bone fractures, scalp wounds, and brain injuries. These often lead to hematomas or hemorrhages, which in turn puts the patient at risk of death, severe physical and cognitive disabilities, or strokes.
Although an ATV accident victim may look okay, he or she may have severe internal injuries. A victim of an ATV accident could also have an injured spleen or cracked or broken ribs that may lead to collapsed lungs, even if the person is able to function normally after being given first aid. All ATV injuries should be treated at an emergency room or other reputable medical facility.
If a loved one has died as a result of an ATV accident, please reach out to our Philadelphia wrongful death attorneys to review your case.
ATV Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
At times, ATV accidents occur because part of the vehicle was defective, or because someone was negligent. For example, most state laws prohibit children under 16 from driving an ATV, but it’s a law that is frequently broken. If negligence, a defective product, or other outside factors influenced your ATV accident, you or your loved one may have a case. Contact our Philadelphia injury lawyers at Ciccarelli Law Offices today for a free case evaluation.