ATV Accident

August 31, 2020

2 Adults and Child Injured in ATV Crash in Columbia County | Florida ATV Accident Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An ATV crash in Columbia County Tuesday evening left a child and two adults suffering injuries.

The accident occurred around 7 p.m. Tuesday night at County Road 246 and County Road 131.

The ATV collision was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol who said that three Lake City residents were riding on an ATV heading north on County Road 131. The driver of the all-terrain vehicle stopped at a stop sign before continuing through the intersection of County Road 246 when the ATV hit an SUV heading west. The crash caused the ATV to spin out and ultimately flip.

One of the ATV passengers, a 49-year-old man, suffered critical injuries. An 11-year-old girl was another passenger who was seriously injured. The driver of the ATV, a 29-year-old man, also suffered serious injuries, according to the FHP.

The FHP report did say that none of the ATV riders were wearing helmets.

The 52-year-old SUV driver suffered minor injuries, according to the FHP.

Florida Safety Laws on ATVs

Florida laws regarding ATVs state the following:

ATVs can only be driven on unpaved roads during daylight hours where the posted speed limit is under 35 MPH.
ATV operators that are under 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult and carry proof of their completion of a Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) safety course.
Anyone driving or riding an ATV that is under the age of 16 must wear a safety helmet and eye protection that is approved by USDOT.

ATV Accident Statistics

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a report showing that between 1982 and 2017, children under the age of 16 accounted for more than 1 in five of the over 15,000 ATV accidents that resulted in death. The CPSC annual report for 2017 (the most recent data available) shows there were 15,250 total ATV accidents deaths reported from 1982-2017, and 3,315 of those deaths, or 21.7%, were minors under the age of 16. Another 1,450 of those deaths, or 9.5%, were under the age of 12. The total deaths in the state of Florida from ATV-related accidents between 1982-2017 were 616.

ATV Accident Injuries

While ATVs are certainly a fun time for those seeking a little outdoor adventure, the truth is that these vehicles can be dangerous. ATVs do not have seatbelts and can weigh between 500 and 600 pounds, which makes them hazardous to drivers and passengers. The most common injuries from ATVs are:

Head Injuries/Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

ATVs do not have a roof and are larger vehicles, which is why all riders are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet. Not wearing a helmet while riding on an ATV and being involved in a crash could lead to a concussion, regardless of how fast you were going.

Spinal Cord Trauma

Spinal cord injuries from ATV accidents account for around 7.9% of the total injuries reported. If the ATV you are operating or riding as a passenger on flips over and lands on top of you, the weight of 500-600 pounds can place a significant amount of pressure on your body.

Internal Injuries

Rollovers in ATV accidents are a huge risk, and when that much weight is placed on a person’s body, injuries to internal organs can happen. Being careful on an ATV and not taking unnecessary risks can stop rollovers from happening. It is very important to not speed on these vehicles, exercise caution when travelling downhill, ride on even ground, do not take corners too fast, and do not lean back when riding uphill.

Knee and Leg Injuries

Not all ATV accidents result in death or catastrophic injuries. Broken bones, scrapes, and burns are all common injuries in ATV accidents.

Fractures

ATVs are large and heavy vehicles, as we have mentioned, so it is not uncommon for riders to fall during the course of an accident and suffer from a broken bone or fracture.

Contact Our Florida ATV Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton

April 29, 2019

Man Killed in ATV Crash in Clay County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 25-year-old Jacksonville man died late Tuesday night in an ATV crash in Clay County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said the man and a 21-year-old Middleburg man were riding an ATV south on Beecher Lane in Orange Park when the vehicle flipped at Crossing Boulevard.

Both men were thrown from the ATV, and the 25-year-old died at the scene from his injuries, troopers said.

The other man on the ATV was seriously injured and was taken to Orange Park Medical Center, troopers said.

It’s unclear which of the men was driving the ATV at the time or why the vehicle overturned.

Charges could be issued pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the report.

Troopers said neither man was wearing a helmet.

ATV’s can now exceed speeds of 60 mph, so they can be extremely dangerous when not operated carefully or correctly. When racing up steep hills or turning at high speeds, ATVs have a tendency to roll over. These vehicles lack the protection of walls or a roof, so drivers can easily be crushed underneath the rolling vehicle.

If you or your loved one has been involved in an ATV accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Usually, these collisions are the result of poor weather conditions or human error, but sometimes they can happen because of manufacturing flaws.

December 13, 2018

Miami Police Officer on Patrol Killed in ATV Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Authorities say a Florida police officer is dead following an all-terrain vehicle crash.

Miami-Dade police say the officer was patrolling an area near a canal Wednesday afternoon when he hit a tree.

He was following up on nuisance and theft complaints by residents. Police say the officer had been called to an enforcement action just before the crash.

Police are still investigating the crash.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in an ATV accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering. ATV accidents can result in serious injuries, even death, as this case shows. Our South Florida ATV Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you receive the compensation that you deserve for ATV accident injuries and death.

ATV crashes can deliver serious injuries that may affect you for the rest of your life. Without the protection offered by cars, ATV drivers and passengers are more likely to suffer from life-threatening injuries. This is especially true because ATVs are highly prone to rollovers. We commonly see the following injuries from ATV accidents:

May 31, 2018

22-Year-Old Killed in ATV Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 22-year-old woman died Saturday night after an ATV crash at Dunns Creek State Park, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

The St. Augustine woman was riding with two others on a dirt trail at 8:15 p.m. when the Can-Am ATV overturned.

The woman was ejected from the vehicle and pinned under it until she could be rescued. She was taken to Putnam Community Medical Center, where she died.

The other passenger and driver suffered minor injuries. According to FHP, none of them were wearing seatbelts or helmets at the time of the crash.

The FHP is investigating the crash.

ATVs are useful, fun, and they can be safe when used properly and when riders wear a helmet every time they ride. Sadly, ATV accidents do happen, and they can leave accident victims with catastrophic and even fatal injuries. Victims of ATV accidents, or families of people who have died in ATV accidents, may be able to recover financial compensation for their injuries or losses, which can help to ease the burden of medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, costs of living with a disability, etc.

Victims of ATV accidents can be injured in a variety of ways. While some newer models of ATVs have seat belts, many do not, so ejection from an ATV is a relatively common occurrence.

The most common ATV injuries, include:

Head Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Neck Injuries
Facial Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Paralysis

Due to the fact that ATV riders and passengers can suffer such serious injuries, wrongful death is not uncommon in ATV accidents.

May 29, 2018

One Dead, 3 Injured in ATV Crash in Osceola County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

One person was killed and three others injured after an ATV hit a tree at a park in southern Osceola County, according to Florida Highway Patrol troopers.

The accident happened around 9 p.m. in the Three Lakes Wildlife Management area in Kenansville.

Paramedics pronounced a 45-year-old Haines City man dead at the scene and transported two people to St. Cloud Regional Medical Center and another to Osceola Regional Medical Center.

A 40-year-old woman of St. Cloud sustained serious injuries and was transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center.

A 54-year-old woman and a 7-year-old boy, both of Bartow, were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with minor injuries.

It’s unclear who was driving, according to reports.

ATVs provide a great amount of fun for friends and family, but drivers and passengers can get seriously injured, and even killed, due to circumstances beyond their control. If you have been injured in an accident involving an ATV in Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Sanford or the surrounding areas, our Osceola County ATV Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you understand your rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

In many ATV injury and wrongful death cases, it can be difficult to determine and prove who is liable due to the large number of contributing factors that often are involved in these crashes. At Whittel & Melton, we are prepared to investigate the situation of any accident in order to establish and verify who is at fault. We will fight to recover maximum compensation.

April 24, 2017

New Study Shows ATV-Related Injuries in Children Worse Than Those From Auto Accidents

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

All-terrain vehicle-related injuries are a huge problem across the United States, and we see more children affected than adults. According to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, the major risk factors for young riders also are entirely preventable.

Their studies show that the injuries children sustain from ATV-related accidents are frequently more severe than injuries received from motor vehicle crashes.

Researchers reviewed data from 16 published studies conducted from 2000 to 2010 on the epidemiology and risk factors among ATV-related injuries in American children.

Data from 2013, the most recent reporting year from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, showed that there were an estimated 99,600 ATV-related injuries in the United States that required at least emergency department treatment. Of those, approximately 25 percent were in children under 16.

The factors that appear related to the relatively high rates of death and injury for children are more powerful machines, younger drivers and lack of safety equipment and risky driving behavior. The most common causes for ATV injuries among young riders are vehicle rollover, collision with a stationary object and ejection from the vehicle.

One of the biggest dangers is when children are given free rein to use an adult-sized machine, like an ATV. The truth is that ATVs are often driven by children too young for a driver’s license, and allowing them access to these machines that are prone to flipping over and rolling is just not a good idea. It is very easy for kids to lose control of these machines, as ATVs can reach speeds above 50 MPH. Most parents would not allow their child to drive a car at that speed, and cars are outfitted with airbags and seat belts, where ATVs are not.

ATV accident victims can suffer severe injuries and even wrongful death. Traumatic brain injuries are common for ATV accident victims, and these injuries usually require long-term medical care.

November 15, 2016

Child Killed In Polk County ATV Accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 5-year-old boy was killed in an ATV accident in Polk County Saturday.

Deputies said a 32-year-old father and his son, 5, were riding in an area near the 3700 block of West Socrum Loop Road. The child was sitting in front of his father on the ATV, wearing a soft helmet.

The man told deputies he was running the ATV on a dirt road when he made a U-Turn, accelerated and went over a grass mound. At that time, the passenger side front tire support arm broke, causing the ATV to roll several times.

Both riders were thrown from the ATV.

Both were transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where the boy was pronounced dead. The father suffered possible broken ribs.

Deputies specified that the helmet the child was wearing was not designed for use with motorized vehicles. The investigation is ongoing.

Polk County has a variety of places where people enjoy tooling around on on all terrain vehicles (ATVs) like four-wheelers, three wheelers, and even dirt bikes. We see a growing number of children playing with these machines each year, which results in more and more injuries and wrongful deaths. Many people do not view these machines as dangerous, and see them as little more than toys, which is sadly not the case.

ATV accidents result in 150 deaths every year. More than 10,000 children under the age of 16 have been killed on ATVS since the 1980s. According to a survey from Johns Hopkins University, the amounts of deaths from ATV accidents have doubled since 1996.

December 26, 2013

Broward County Injury Lawyer :: Two Boys Riding Dirt Bikes Struck by Car in Miramar

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two boys riding dirt bikes are recovering in the hospital after being hit by a car on Christmas Eve.

The boys, 13 and 16, were riding their bikes around Southwest 66th Terrace and Southwest 28th Street when a Nissan Altima hit them around 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Miramar Police spokeswoman.

The two boys were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The driver of the Altima reportedly stayed at the scene after the accident. Police are still investigating the incident.

Dirt bikes and ATV’s, otherwise known as all-terrain vehicles, can be fun for individuals of all ages, but they are also notorious for being very dangerous. Dirt bike and ATV accidents can result in serious injuries, paralysis and even death. If you or someone you care for has suffered an injury from dirt bike or ATV accident, it is important to consult with a Broward County Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton immediately. We represent individuals who have been injured on a dirt bike, motorcycle or ATV throughout Broward County, including the cities of Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lauderhill, Lazy Lake, Lighthouse Point, Margate, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Port Everglades, Sea Ranch Lakes, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Park, Weston and Wilton Manors.

September 25, 2012

Three Boys Airlifted to Brevard County Hospital Following ATV Crash :: Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Mims, Florida – Three teen boys were injured in an ATV crash Saturday afternoon in Brevard County after apparently crashing into each other on a road in Mims.

The boys, ages 14 and 17, were airlifted to a nearby hospital. One of the boys was thrown from the all-terrain vehicle during the collision.

Updated information on the boys’ condition is not available at this time.

The trio was issued a ticket for driving illegally on a public road. Two were also cited for careless driving and the youngest boy was ticketed for not wearing a helmet.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, ATV accidents caused 115,000 injuries and contributed to more than 300 deaths in 2010. While ATVs and 4-wheelers can be exciting forms of transportation, they place drivers and passengers at an increased risk for severe injuries and even death. After an ATV accident takes place on a public road or in a rural area, a thorough investigation must be conducted to preserve critical evidence. Determining the exact cause of your accident may help you recover the compensation you need to move on from severe injuries, including:

• Head Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Paralysis
• Amputation
• Neck and Back Injuries
• Scars and Disfigurement
Many of the ATV accidents that occur throughout the U.S. each year involve adults over the age of 18, but in the last 10 years the number of children and teens killed in ATV crashes has increased by 88 percent. Statistics compiled by the CPSC show that while children under the age of 16 only make up 15 percent of all ATV riders, they have accounted for 27 percent of ATV injuries and 28 percent of ATV-related deaths. Many of these accidents and injuries are caused by other motorists, riders failing to wear proper safety equipment and even negligent manufacturers.

July 21, 2011

Citrus County, FL Personal Injury Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Woman Killed in Crystal River ATV Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 20-year-old Inverness, FL woman was killed in an all-terrain-vehicle accident Friday afternoon in Crystal River after the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to flip.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the woman’s 22-year-old boyfriend was driving the 2010 Polaris ATV around 4 p.m. in a field when the vehicle rotated, overturned onto its right side and then came to a halt against a fence.

The man and the woman were both ejected from the vehicle. The man suffered minor injuries.

An investigation into the crash is still underway.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2009 Annual Report of ATV-Related Deaths and Injuries, between the years of 1982 and 2009 there have been a total of 10,281 ATV-related deaths in the United States. The number of fatality reports increased 648 since the last annual report prepared by the CPSC in 2008. In the state of Florida, there were 361 ATV-related deaths from 1982-2006 and 86 reported deaths from 2007-2009; totaling 447 reported fatalities or 29 percent of all U.S. ATV-related deaths from 1982-2006.

ATVs are powerful vehicles with the potential for disaster and should never be treated as toys. These vehicles can travel at excess speeds of 60 miles per hour and can weigh more than 700 pounds. ATVs can easily tip or roll over and because the vehicle is usually operated in off-road conditions proper training is essential.

Any person found responsible for an ATV accident can be held liable for injuries and damages suffered by the victim of the collision. In the event of a wrongful death, the victim’s family may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, loss of companionship, mental distress, lost wages and loss of earning potential. To receive fair compensation a rigid investigation needs to take place immediately so all evidence can be preserved, medical information can be obtained and any involved insurance parties can be notified to begin their examination.