Teenage Girl Killed in ATV Accident in Central Florida
According to a report from Click Orlando, a 16-year-old girl was killed in a tragic ATV accident in Central Florida. A spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) told reporters that her ATV was struck by an oncoming vehicle in a rural section of Lake County. Neither the identity of the victim nor the driver was released to the public. The heartbreaking ATV accident is still under investigation. Our thoughts are with the family and the community.
Safety Alert: ATVs are Dangerous
ATVs (all terrain vehicles) are popular in Florida. Parents should know that they have the potential to be extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, ATV accidents remain a serious safety issue in the United States. Alarmingly, children and teenagers are at a disproportionate risk of being injured in an ATV crash. For reference, more than 75,000 people end up in the emergency room after an ATV accident each year. Federal data shows that nearly one quarter of all ATV accident victims are minors.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has gone so far as to classify all terrain vehicles as “high risk” products. The CPSC even created a targeted action plan focused on working with manufacturers and consumers to try to reduce the number of ATV accident injuries and fatalities. ATV manufacturers and ATV distributors must comply with the CPSC action plan.
Four ATV Safety Tips for Parents
Before letting your child ride an ATV, it is crucial that you understand the risks. While ATVs can be extremely dangerous, there are proactive steps that parents can take to reduce the likelihood of a serious accident or a serious injury. Here are four safety tips for parents who are considering letting their teenager operate an ATV:
- ATV riders must hear a DOT-approved safety helmet. Never let your child ride without a helmet. The risk of traumatic brain injury is far too high. Safety helmets save lives.
- Young riders should be trained on ATV safety before they are given access to the vehicle. It is best to take it slow. Make sure your child demonstrates a commitment to ATV safety.
- Keep ATVs off of public roads. Motor vehicles pose a serious safety threat to ATV riders. The CPSC recommends that ATV owners avoid operating on paved roads .
- Take away your child’s access if they act recklessly. If you find out that your teenager is operating an ATV in a dangerous manner, you should take away the keys. ATV ridership is a privilege.
Call Our West Palm Beach, FL ATV Accident Attorney for Immediate Help
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach ATV accident lawyers have the skills and expertise to handle the full range of ATV accident claims. If you or your child was injured in an ATV crash, we are here as a resource. Call us now for a free, confidential case evaluation. We handle ATV accident injury claims throughout Southeastern Florida, including in Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County.
Resource:
clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/08/19/altoona-16-year-old-girl-dies-in-atv-crash-near-lake-dorr-troopers-say/
https://www.turnpikelaw.com/one-killed-one-injured-in-serious-florida-atv-accident/
