One Killed, One Injured in Serious Florida ATV Accident

According to a report from WKMG News 6, a 26-year-old woman was killed and a 57-year-old man was seriously injured in a North Florida ATV accident. The crash occurred in Volusia County, at an intersection along a rural stretch of Florida State Road 46 (SR-46). Below, our West Palm Beach ATV accident attorneys explain what we know about this incident and discuss ATV accidents in general.

Florida Highway Patrol: Deadly ATV Crash Under Investigation 

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the ATV accident occurred just prior to 11:00 PM on the evening of June 5th. The ATV in question was a Polaris Ranger and it was carrying two passengers, the 26-year-old woman and the 57-year-old man, immediately prior to the collision.

Based on a preliminary review, public safety officials assessed that the all-terrain vehicle left the roadway and collided with a nearby utility. At the current time, no conclusions have been made as to precisely what caused the ATV to go off of the road. The fatal accident is still under official investigation. 

ATV Safety: An Overview of the Relevant Data 

ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and RTVs (rough-terrain vehicles) are both popular forms of transportation and recreation. Unfortunately, there have been some serious questions raised about the safety of these vehicles. Without proper care, an all-terrain vehicle has the potential to be incredibly dangerous.

According to data provided by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were a stunning 81,800 ATV-related emergency room visits reported in the United States in 2018 alone. One of the most alarming things about that number is that more than one fourth (28 percent) of those ER visits were from children and teenagers. The CPSC estimates that about 20,000 require long-term hospitalization and 500 people are killed in all-terrain vehicle accidents every year.

Understanding ATV Accident Liability in Florida

Although there are relatively few specific regulations on all-terrain vehicle use, operators, property owners, and businesses can still be held liable for their negligence. All parties involved in the production and operations of ATVs must take reasonable safety precautions.

ATV accidents happen for a wide range of different reasons. In some cases, a driver acts in a reckless manner, thereby putting passengers and bystanders at risk. In other cases, ATV owners/property owners fail to provide adequate care and oversight for children. Major ATV manufacturers may also bear liability for a serious accident.

Ultimately, every ATV injury should be investigated by an experienced professional. To bring a successful claim, injured victims need evidence proving the defendant’s liability. A lawyer can help you and your family assess all options for justice and compensation. 

Contact Our South Florida ATV Accident Lawyers for Help

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Florida ATV accident attorneys fight tirelessly to help victims get justice and financial compensation. Contact our law firm now for a free, no obligation review of your personal injury claim. From our offices in West Palm Beach, Wellington and Miami, we handle ATV accident claims throughout Southeastern Florida, including in Hialeah, Miami Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Sunrise, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, and Lake Worth.

Resources:

clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/06/05/1-dead-1-in-serious-condition-after-atv-crashes-ejects-passenger-troopers-say/

cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/2018AnnualReportofATVRelatedDeathsandInjuries.pdf?VGaf1cuZ_D0SGxct2eRpZUwcgME4LKDy