Parents may worry that their teens may get into a North Bay Village car accident, but far before teens have driving privileges, many are using ATVs to enjoy a taste of freedom. However, as many experts and law enforcement authorities point out, ATVs lead to North Bay Village personal injuries each year. The recreational vehicles may not require a driver’s license, but they can be as deadly as a car, and they are intended for adults, not children.
According to the organization Concerned Families for ATV Safety, between 1997 and 2006 there was a 150% jump in injuries to minors and children from ATV accidents and hospitalization for head trauma tripled during the same period. ATVs can roll over more easily than cars can and can trap children underneath. They can also cause fractures, amputations, and other severe injuries, including North Bay Village brain injuries. In many cases, children drive ATVs over rough terrain – ATVs are not designed for use of roadways – and the unstable and uneven terrain can make North Bay Village ATV accidents even more of a risk. Parents who are concerned should keep the following guidelines in mind:
1) Do not allow children under the age of 16 to drive ATVs. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and many other professional groups believe that children under the age of 16 should not be allowed to ride on ATVs, as they lack the coordination and the judgment to do so safely.
2) Insist that helmets are used by ATV users. Since head injuries are one of the most common injuries caused by ATVs, and since ATVs provide less protection for this type of injury than passenger cars, wearing a helmet when on an ATV is just as important as wearing a seatbelt in a car. Just as the seatbelt can protect you from a head injury in the event of a North Bay Village car accident, the helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury in an ATV accident.
3) Do not permit ATV passengers. ATVs are not designed for passengers. This means that parents need to be cautious if their children’s friends have ATVs – children may be tempted to catch a ride on a friend’s ATV, especially if they cannot try an ATV at home. Riding tandem also increases the risk of an accident and injury.
4) If your children decide at age 16 that they are interested in ATVs, get them a hands-on safety course. Many communities offer these courses, and they are a very smart investment. In many ATV crashes, inexperience is a major cause for the crash, so getting instruction about ATV safety is important in preventing accidents.
If you or your child is injured in an ATV accident and you believe that the accident is caused by someone’s negligence or recklessness, contact the Flaxman Law Group to a free accident consultation to discuss your case. You may be able to recover for medical costs, lost income, and other expenses related to the accident.