Most people use ATVs or all-terrain vehicles for recreational purposes. But these vehicles are difficult to control and can become unstable at times. Hence, ATV accidents are quite prevalent in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
ATV accident victims can suffer extensive injuries and be left with rising medical bills and lost income over time. If you or someone in your family has been injured in an ATV accident due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to claim compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
A skilled Fort Lauderdale ATV lawyer at Klotzman Law Firm can help you in this regard.
Knowledgeable and experienced ATV accident lawyers are rare in Fort Lauderdale since this is a highly specialized field of law. You need a lawyer who will look out for the best interest of his/her clients.
If not, you may become a victim to insurance companies that will fight hard to avoid paying the full compensation you rightly deserve or completely deny your claim.
In case you or someone in your family has been involved in an ATV accident in Fort Lauderdale and sustained injuries, contact our experienced Fort Lauderdale ATV accident lawyer right now at 954-915-7405.
The team of personal injury lawyers at Klotzman Law Firm has been helping injured victims, just like you, throughout the Fort Lauderdale region to recover maximum compensation for their injuries and financial losses.
Our team has the necessary expertise, knowledge, resources, and skills to help you recover the maximum possible compensation you rightly deserve. We are available 24/7 and 7 days a week to assist our clients during their time of need.
We will protect your interest by getting you the compensation you rightly deserve.
Contact our team at 954-915-7405 for a Free Case Evaluation!
How To Avoid an ATV Accident?
There are so many things that you could do in order to avoid an ATV accident including:
. Maintaining safe speeds
. Performing thorough inspections before riding the ATV
. Taking an ATV course
. Following the ATV laws in Florida
. Avoiding riding the ATV under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Unfortunately, some riders don’t follow these steps and cause accidents and injuries to themselves as well as other people.
Maintaining Safe Speeds
ATVs are unstable and hard to control on rugged terrain. Speeding is the main cause of ATV accidents in the state of Florida. In fact, the rider should maintain safe speeds at all times to avoid unwanted accidents and subsequent injuries.
You should adjust the speed of your ATV according to the terrain, weather, and visibility. You should never drive an ATV at high speeds, especially if you are a new driver.
Performing Pre-Ride Inspections
Make sure to perform a pre-ride inspection before you ride the ATV. Never rush to ride the vehicle. Check the condition of its tires as well as the air pressure. The tires should be free of any imperfection including tears. They should be properly inflated.
Don’t forget to inspect the brakes, headlights, and brake lights. make sure they are in good working condition before you ride the ATV.
Taking an ATV Safety Course
Driving an ATV in rugged terrain is no easy task. It requires some practice and experience. As a responsible person, you should be spending more time learning how to ride the vehicle – including how to turn the handle and steer the unit in rugged terrain.
The best way to do so is to take an ATV course which will help reduce ATV accidents in the state.
Do Not Drive an ATV Under the Influence of Anything
Drugs and alcohol will definitely impair your judgment. You may find it difficult to control the vehicle when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That is why it’s illegal to drive under the influence of anything in Florida.
In case you are caught drinking and driving, you should expect to face both criminal and civil penalties. Hence, you should avoid driving your ATV under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Driving a Suitable ATV according to Your Age
ATVs are made for kids and adults. Children shouldn’t drive ATVs made for adults since they cannot safely drive such vehicles. If they drive at high speeds, they can easily lose control and cause accidents in the process. That’s why children should drive ATVs that are specially made for kids. That way, they can safely ride the ATV.
Following the ATV Laws in the State
You should know about the ATV laws in your state before you ride an ATV. For example, Florida law doesn’t allow you to drive an ATV on a public road without a permit. That’s because it’s difficult to control an ATV on paved surfaces. Follow the ATV laws in your state to prevent ATV accidents and subsequent injuries.
Don’t Carry Passengers
Don’t carry passengers, especially if you are a new driver with less experience. On the other hand, most ATVs are not made to carry passengers. If you carry passengers on such an ATV, you may find it difficult to control the vehicle. In case the ATV isn’t designed for more than one person, you shouldn’t carry passengers.
These are some of the most important things to consider in order to avoid ATV accidents. It may take some time to safely ride an ATV. You should take your time since your safety is more important. Don’t forget to wear safety gear when riding your ATV.
What Causes ATV Accidents?
ATV accidents are usually caused by numerous factors, including drinking & driving, speeding, unsafe weather conditions, driving on paved roads, and carrying passengers. Inexperienced ATV drivers are more likely to cause these accidents. Let us take a closer look at each of these factors.
Drinking & driving is one of the major causes of ATV accidents in the state of Florida. When a driver operates an ATV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, his or her judgment, reaction time, and motor skills are impaired. I
t puts them at a higher risk of accidents. Hence, it is crucial to avoid operating an ATV while you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Driving your ATV on a paved surface could increase the risk of accidents, especially for new drivers who lack experience. Without proper training or experience, you may find it difficult to control an ATV on a paved road.
On the other hand, it is important to note that you need a permit to drive an ATV on public roads in Florida.
Weather conditions such as snow, rain, fog, and high winds can affect the performance of an ATV by hampering your visibility. Driving on icy roads can be problematic and lead to accidents and subsequent injuries. Before heading out on your ATV, be sure to check the weather forecast and adjust your plans accordingly.
High-speed ATV driving could result in serious injuries or even death. When drivers operate their ATVs at a high rate of speed, the vehicle can easily roll over. On the other hand, it takes longer to slow or stop ATVs when driving at a higher speed.
It will increase the risk of collisions. Drivers should always operate their ATVs at a reasonable speed.
Carrying passengers on an ATV that’s designed for one person can increase the risk of accidents. Passengers add weight to the ATV, making it more difficult to control. If you are a new driver, it’s best to avoid carrying passengers.
Avoiding these common mistakes can help prevent ATV accidents and keep you safe. If you are involved in an ATV accident, it is important to seek legal assistance to get the compensation you rightly deserve for your injuries.
What are Common Types of ATV injuries?
ATV accidents can result in serious injuries including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, joint pain, and more. Here are some of the most common types of ATV injuries in Florida:
Broken Bones
Broken bones are some of the most common injuries experienced by ATV drivers. When something hits the bones with enough force, it may lead to broken bones. The broken bones can puncture the skin to cause an open fracture at times. They can also lead to swelling, severe pain, and trouble moving the injured part of the body.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury results when the spinal cord or nerves that send/receive signals from the brain are damaged. A spinal cord injury is caused after a sudden blow to the spine region. This type of injury can result in the permanent loss of strength, sensation, and movement. In fact, a spinal cord injury can permanently paralyze the victim.
Back Injuries
The trauma of an ATV accident can cause the spinal column of the victim to shift out of alignment. It can result in significant pain if not treated immediately. The injury can result in lifelong disability over time. Some of the most common back injuries are herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and sprains & strains.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Brain dysfunction can be caused by an outside force. In fact, a violent blow to the head can lead to TBI. ATV accidents are some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries. In fact, the force that impacts the ATV driver during an accident can result in damage to his or her brain. TBIs may lead to confusion, difficulty in concentration, and blurry vision over time.
Neck Injuries
Any trauma involving the neck can lead to neck injuries. The neck is prone to injuries from strains, sprains, and more. In case the impact of an ATV accident is severe, it can result in injuries to your nerves, ligaments, bones, tendons, and muscles in the neck area. On the other hand, whiplash is also common in ATV accidents.
Joint Pain
ATV accidents can lead to joint pain including soreness, aches, and discomfort in the joints. The victim can easily feel physical discomfort in the joints soon after an ATV accident. The common symptoms include painful movement, swelling, enlarged or stiff joints, and loss of motion at times.
Head Injuries
A head injury may involve harm to your brain, skull, scalp, underlying tissue, or the blood vessels within the head. Such injury can be caused by blunt force trauma to the head, such as when a rider is ejected from their ATV and their head collides with the road.
Cuts and Bruises
A direct blow to your body parts can result in bruises. In such a situation, the victim may bleed into the skin without any cut or laceration. But a laceration or cut can result when something sharp comes into contact with the body. If you have cuts and lacerations as a result of your ATV accident, you should treat them before they become infected.
Some of these injuries may take months or even years to heal. You will have to spend a lot of money on medical bills during such a time. You may not be able to work due to these injuries. In fact, some victims may even become permanently disabled as a result of some of these injuries.
When you or a family member has been injured as a result of an ATV accident, you need the services of an experienced Fort Lauderdale ATV accident lawyer. The lawyer will refer you to a qualified medical doctor and pursue your claim to seek adequate compensation for your injuries.
Contact 954-915-7405 right now to talk with a knowledgeable lawyer at Klotzman Law Firm.
Who Can Be Held Liable in ATV Accident Cases?
It’s not easy to prepare an ATV accident lawsuit. You should work with an experienced ATV lawyer in Fort Lauderdale in order to determine who could be held liable for your injuries in the ATC accident case. Here are the parties that can be held responsible for your injuries in an ATV accident:
The Other Driver
If the other driver caused the accident, he or she can be held responsible for your ATV accident and subsequent injuries. But you should prove that you suffered financial losses and injuries as a result of the accident. The insurance provider of the other driver should pay you for the injuries and financial losses you experienced as a result of the accident.
Third-Party Owners
Most people rent ATVs from vehicle rental services in Fort Lauderdale. The rental company is responsible for maintaining the ATV. But some of them don’t maintain their vehicles properly. If such a vehicle caused the accident, the rental company can be held responsible for your accident and injuries.
Vehicle Manufacturers
The ATV manufacturer should make sure their vehicles are safe for use. If a malfunctioning part was the cause of your accident, the manufacturer of the ATV can be held liable for the incident. The manufacturer should test every spare part for safe usage. In fact, they are usually held liable for any manufacturing defect.
Property Owner
Property owners should maintain safety standards on their properties at all times. If you were injured on a property because the property owner not maintaining the safety standards on their property, the owner of that property can be held responsible for your ATV accident.
It could be quite challenging to determine who is at fault for an ATV accident. You need to work with a highly experienced ATV accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale to help determine who is at fault in your ATV accident.
Does Insurance Cover an ATV Crash?
Not all insurance covers ATV crashes, For instance, car and home insurance policies don’t cover ATV accidents. In fact, you should get ATV insurance in order to cover ATV crashes. An ATV crash can result in injuries and property damage. Your ATV insurance should pay for such damages and injuries.
What Damages Can You Collect from An ATV crash?
The victim should be able to collect economic, non-economic, and punitive damages as a result of an ATV accident. You should work with a good personal injury lawyer in town to get the maximum compensation for your injuries and property damages. Here are the damages you can collect from an ATV crash:
Economic – These damages cover your actual monetary losses. For example, they cover your medical expenses, lost income, vocational rehabilitation, and more. Make sure you keep track of your medical bills, prescriptions, doctor visits, and surgery to claim economic damages.
Non-Economic – These damages cover your non-monetary losses such as emotional anguish, reputation damage, inconvenience, suffering, and more. You should hire a good ATV lawyer to claim non-economic damages.
Punitive – The court may award punitive damages to the victim in order to prevent the at-fault party from repeating the same mistake in the future.
Contact Klotzman Law Firm to Help You Recover Compensation!
ATV accidents could result in serious injuries and financial losses. It may take months or even years for you to completely recover from such injuries. Medical bills can quickly add up and cause financial problems for your loved ones.
In fact, you need strong legal representation to improve your chances of getting adequately compensated for your injuries.
Looking for a reputable and experienced Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer? Look no further than Klotzman Law Firm. Contact us at 954-915-7405 for a FREE phone consultation to discuss the specifics of your ATV accident case.
