All-terrain vehicles or ATVs are particularly popular with young people and those who live in rural areas. Four-wheelers, three-wheelers, golf carts and even motorized dirt bikes allow people to explore outdoor areas and rapidly travel a large property.
ATVs are efficient means of off-road transportation. Their design allows them to traverse open fields and two-track roads in the forest. Unfortunately, ATVs are also relatively dangerous. They often do not have any safety systems integrated into their design like those used to make on-road motor vehicles safer.
ATVs have a concerning association with deadly crashes, even though most people use them without any major incidents. Thousands of families in Connecticut may use ATVs to take care of their property or for recreational purposes. What do those families need to know about the risk of ATV crashes?
Dozens of ATV riders die each year in Connecticut
ATV collisions are not as rare as people might assume. In fact, they occur with alarming regularity. There are approximately 50 fatal ATV crashes every year in Connecticut. Many of those incidents are single-vehicle crashes where the person operating an ATV loses control of the vehicle. Some of these crashes may involve drivers taking ATVs onto public roads, only to end up colliding with another vehicle.
What are the top causes of ATV collisions?
When looking at an analysis of ATV collisions, operator error is the most concerning risk factor. Operating ATVs on paved roads is a leading cause of crashes, as they are designed for off-road use and can be unstable on paved surfaces. Operating them at unsafe speeds or while under the influence of drugs and alcohol can also increase the risk of a preventable crash. Many people get hurt or worse while attempting dangerous stunts on these vehicles. Using an ATV as a passenger vehicle when the design is for only one person is also a risk factor that increases crash risk.
Some ATV incidents may be the result of poor product design. Others could occur because of what other drivers do. Pursuing compensation after an ATV crash often requires a careful analysis of the circumstances at issue. Injured parties and grieving families in Connecticut may be in a strong position to seek compensation from drivers, manufacturers or others, depending on the details of a particular crash situation.
