All terrain vehicles (ATVs) have some very important uses including search and rescue and ranching, but their popularity for recreational and sporting purposes has also created some grave dangers. To keep up with demand and keep prices low, some ATVs are built with shoddy parts. Some models are plagued with deadly design flaws, and many ATVs are marketed inappropriately to children. If you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV accident our experienced Charleston injury attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Design Flaws
Design flaws in ATVs can lead to accidents or cause severe injuries in the event of a crash. Many models have a high center of gravity and very short wheelbase making them prone to rollover even under the tamest riding conditions. Others fail to protect riders and allow body parts such as hands and feet to be drug under the ATV or crushed.
Faulty Parts
Poor quality parts and parts the do not function properly can lead to all kinds of ATV accidents, even for the most experienced riders. Faulty ATV parts often lead to fires and explosions, loss of control and rollover. Faulty ATV parts can include:
- Fuel delivery
- Brakes
- Throttle
- Transmissions
- Welds on control components
- Steering components
Marketing
In the right hands, ATVs are very useful tools. Unfortunately, they are more often marketed as toys. Some are marketed to children. Many are marketed to extreme sports enthusiasts, and represented as having uses they cannot safely live up to. ATV marketing has led to the false belief that anyone can jump on an ATV and ride safely, on their own, with no training or experience. This has led to a rental market which allows brand new drivers to try out ATVs with absolutely no instruction.
If you or a loved one has been inured in an ATV accident, please call our Charleston injury attorneys or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation with our personal injury lawyers is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, in most cases we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.