Riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is a fun but dangerous way to explore British Columbia, especially when off-roading. ATVs lack extensive safety equipment and can reach high speeds, leaving riders at risk of severe injuries. An ATV accident could result in long-term injuries that prevent victims from earning a living and paying for the medical treatment they need. Moreover, their quality of life can be negatively impacted if their injuries keep them from enjoying their favorite activities.
If you suffered injuries on an all-terrain vehicle or other off-road vehicle (ORV), you could be entitled to compensation. The Vancouver ATV accident lawyers at Warnett Hallen LLP can review your case and discuss your legal rights in a free initial consultation. Contact us today to get started.
What Causes ATV Accidents?
Common causes of ATV accidents in British Columbia include:
- Impaired driving – Intoxicated ATV operators usually experience a sharp decline in their reaction times and judgment, making them more prone to a crash. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), about half of all ATV accidents involve riders impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Distracted driving – ATV drivers must focus on their actions and their environment. When they don’t, they put themselves and any passengers in harm’s way.
- Aggressive driving – ATVs are lighter than cars, making handling more difficult. Speeding, sharp turns, and other aggressive maneuvers can cause an operator to lose control and crash.
- Overloaded ATVs – BC traffic laws prohibit operators from riding an ATV with more passengers than it is designed to carry. Overloading an ATV can make a rollover accident more likely, which can cause deadly injuries.
- Intersection accidents – While ATV riders should generally stay away from cars and avoid paved roads, they have the right to cross paved roads at designated intersections. Motorists need to be careful at these intersections to avoid hitting an ATV crossing in front of them. Because motor vehicles are so much larger than ATVs, they can inflict catastrophic injuries in a collision.
- Defective parts – Any vehicle is more likely to crash if a piece of critical equipment has a design or manufacturing defect. Faulty brakes, steering systems, suspensions, or other components can cause an ATV driver to lose control and sustain severe injuries.
- Inexperience – ATVs are smaller than cars but have considerably more horsepower per kilogram, meaning an ATV accelerates much faster than a car. ATVs can also turn more sharply and quickly. If an ATV driver fails to receive proper training, that rapid acceleration or increased maneuverability can be jarring, making an accident more likely.
What to Do After an ATV Accident
If you sustain injuries in an ATV accident, follow these steps to protect your right to compensation:
- Seek medical treatment immediately. Call for emergency help directly if you or anyone else suffered serious injuries. Otherwise, see a medical professional after leaving the crash site, even if you feel fine.
- Document the accident scene. Take pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, and any nearby hazards.
- Identify witnesses. If others observed the crash, it is important to get their contact information. Their testimony could provide a valid neutral account of how the ATV accident happened.
- Gather information from anyone else involved in the crash. If someone hit you, ask for their name, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
- Save all your medical records and receipts. You can recover compensation for your accident-related expenses in a successful personal injury claim.
- Talk to an ATV accident lawyer. An experienced lawyer can begin work on your case immediately while evidence is easier to access and memories are fresh.
Most Frequent Injuries in ATV Collisions
Some of the most common injuries from ATV accidents in British Columbia include:
- Traumatic brain injuries – ATV riders can get thrown from their vehicles in a collision, meaning there is a significant chance of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) when they land and hit their head.
- Spinal cord injuries – A violent ATV crash can cause spinal cord injuries, particularly if a driver or passenger sustains a hard blow to their back or side. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the damage.
- Broken bones – Blunt force trauma from an ATV accident can leave riders or passengers with serious fractures. Severely broken bones can be agonizing and may lead to a permanent disability if they do not heal correctly.
- Internal injuries – Trauma can also lead to internal bleeding or organ damage, which can be fatal without rapid medical treatment.
Safety Advice to Prevent ATV Crashes
Here are some tips for avoiding accidents while riding an ATV:
- Take an ATV safety course before riding.
- Familiarize yourself with and follow British Columbia’s ATV laws.
- Never put more passengers on an ATV than it can carry.
- Do not operate an ATV while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Don’t speed.
- Wear a helmet, long pants, and other safety gear.
- Maintain your ATV and check its crucial components before a trip.
- Never ride an ATV alone. Ride with someone who can alert authorities in the event of an accident. If you end up making a solo trip, carry a cell phone and leave a plan of your route with a friend or family member.
Compensation for ATV Accident Claims in Vancouver, BC
The compensation you could receive after an ATV accident depends on who caused the accident, the severity of your injuries and other losses, and other factors. Generally, you could receive money for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
Get Help From Our Experienced ATV Accident Lawyers
The team at Warnett Hallen LLP has extensive experience handling ATV accident cases and knows how to help you recover fair compensation from the party(s) responsible for your injuries. Call us today or visit our contact page for a free consultation with an ATV crash lawyer in British Columbia.
