Picking Your Ohio ATV Accident Lawyer

Riding around on a 4-wheeler or other ATV vehicle can be a fun year-round pastime. While riding these types of vehicles can be fun and exciting, they can also be incredibly dangerous and cause serious injuries if not maintained and controlled properly.

If you or a loved one was injured in an Ohio ATV accident, whether on private or public property, having an experienced ATV accident attorney by your side can make the difference in ensuring that you and your loved ones receive the compensation they deserve. Here at Charles Boyk Law Offices, our team of Ohio ATV attorneys have a proven track record of helping those injured in ATV accidents. We offer compassionate support to families dealing with the loss of loved ones in these tragic ATV accidents.

With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our Ohio ATV accident attorneys are incredibly skilled in handling ATV accident cases. Liability surrounding ATVs can be incredibly complicated and our team has a proven track record of holding those responsible for ATV accidents accountable. Let us put our experience to work on your behalf!

What is an ATV?

According to the U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is a motorized, off-road vehicle having three or more low pressure tires, handlebars for steering control, and a straddle seat for the operator.

There are ATVs and vehicles similar to them come in a variety of different designs and sizes that are built for specific terrains and uses.

• Sport ATVs: These ATVs are lightweight, built for speed, and are commonly used for racing. They can handle jumps and quick, tight turns.
• Utility ATVs: These ATVs are larger than sport ATVs and are designed for work-related tasks and equipped with cargo racks. These are more likely to be used for hunting, fishing, and farming.
• Side-by-Sides (UTVS): Side-by-Sides differ from traditional ATVs because they have normal seats and a steering wheel. They may also be able to seat more people than traditional ATVs. Some examples of UTVs are the Polaris RZR and Yamaha Rhino.
• Youth ATVS: These ATVs are specifically designed for kids. They are smaller and have limited engine power. While they are designed for kids, they are NOT toys and should be closely monitored.
• Dune Buggies: These ATVs are designed for sandy terrains like deserts and beaches
• Minibikes: Minibikes are small, lightweight motorcycles that can be used off-road and are incredibly popular with younger riders. Like youth ATVs it is important that you supervise your children on them.
• Dirt Bikes: Dirt bikes are bigger minibikes. They are motorcycles that are designed to go off-roading on. They have a lightweight frame, knobby tires, and high ground clearance.
• Trikes (Three-Wheeled ATVs): When ATVs first came to market, they typically had 3 wheels. They have fallen out of popularity because people preferred four-wheeled ATVs as they were more stable than the trikes.
• Quads: These are four-wheeled motorcycles. They are often simply referred to as ATVs or four-wheelers.

By understanding the different types of ATV and similar vehicles out there, you can figure out what the best ATV is for you, and how the ATV should be used to make sure it is being used for its intended purpose. By using ATVs for their intended purposes, you reduce the risk of Ohio ATV accidents.

What Should I do if I am in an Ohio ATV accident?

If you or a loved one were involved in an Ohio ATV accident, you should take the following steps to ensure that you can receive the compensation and justice you deserve:

1. Ensure Safety: If you are traveling on a designated ATV trail, it is important that you move off the trail as quickly as possible to avoid another driver hitting you.
2. Call 911: Calling emergency services can be critical, especially in serious accidents. ATV accidents typically occur in rural, hard-to-reach areas, and sometimes require medical helicopters to get from the scene of the accident to the hospital. Police who arrive at the scene will also be able to make a report about the accident that can be used later to establish someone else’s liability. Calling 911 as quickly as possible may be the difference between life and death.
3. Document the Scene: Take as many pictures and videos of the scene as possible and collect contact information about witnesses. This ensures that your case will have enough evidence to back up your case.
4. Seek Medical Attention: Getting medical attention right after the accident is an important step in establishing a link between your injuries and the accident. Even if you feel fine in the moment, it is important to go as soon after the accident as possible. This makes it harder for an insurance company to claim that the injuries are not related to the accident.
5. Contact an Experienced Ohio ATV Accident Attorney: If you sustained injuries or experienced significant damage, consider seeking advice from a personal injury attorney. We can help you navigate legal complexities and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage the aftermath of an ATV accident in Ohio. This ensures that both your health and legal rights are protected.

Why Should I Get an Attorney after an ATV Accident?

Ohio ATV accident cases can be incredibly difficult to navigate. Navigating the legal system is near impossible for someone without any legal background. Hiring an experienced ATV accident attorney can help you navigate this complicated web and ensure that you get the compensation and justice you deserve. An ATV accident attorney will do the following for you:

• Investigate the Scene of the Accident. Thoroughly investigate the crash site and surrounding area to see if there is anything that might have caused the accident.
• Consult with Experts. Collaborate and interview ATV experts, crash reconstructionists, park rangers, ATV mechanics, and any other type of expert who might be able to provide some insight into the causes of the crash.
• Conduct Research. ATV accident cases are very fact specific and technical. An experienced ATV accident will do extensive legal and technical research to find case law and reports that back up your claims.
• Assess Your Injuries. An experienced ATV accident attorney will review your medical documents, talk to your treating physicians and other medical professionals to determine the exact extent of your injuries. If you need help finding treatment, an experienced ATV accident attorney can refer you to doctors they trust.
• Obtain Key Information. An experienced ATV accident attorney will interview witnesses, people familiar with the area of the crash (whether a private property owner, or ATV Park manager) to make sure that we have all the information we need to build up your case.
• Build your Case. An experienced ATV accident attorney will leverage their knowledge to determine the best strategy to proceed with your case. This is critical to helping you get the compensation and justice you deserve.
• Negotiate with Insurers. Insurers are one of the biggest obstacles to getting fully compensated for your injuries as they are going to fight you, receiving compensation every step of the way. An experienced ATV accident attorney will stand by your side and work to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company to get compensation as quickly as possible without having to go to trial.
• Leverage Legal Experience. Experienced ATV accident attorneys will use their legal expertise to navigate the complicated web that is the legal system. We also know the wide range of claims you may be able to pursue because of your injuries.
• Keep you informed. An experienced ATV accident attorney will keep you up to date with all the changes that happen in your case as they happen. They will also explain what happens at each stage of the litigation process.

By hiring an experienced ATV accident attorney, you can ensure that you are getting the compensation and justice that you deserve.

Common Causes of Ohio ATV Accidents

Ohio ATV Accidents can happen from a variety of causes. While the leading causes of ATV accidents tend to be drivers losing control, hitting an object and getting thrown off, and rollovers, most ATV accidents and injuries are the result of the following

• Inexperienced Drivers. A new driver may not know how to properly handle and control an ATV. This makes it more likely that they will not be able to move out of the way of objects or other vehicles.
• Going too fast makes it harder to control an ATV and may result in slamming on the breaks and flipping, causing injury.
• Reckless Driving. ATV riders are notorious for taking unnecessary risks like doing unnecessary stunts or taking unknown paths at dangerous speeds. This makes it more likely that an accident will occur.
• Alcohol and Drug Use. As with any type of vehicle accident, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol make it more likely that an accident will occur.
• Lack of Protective Gear. Wearing protective gear can be a matter of life and death. Wearing a helmet or elbow/knee pads can be the difference between some minor bruising and broken limbs and a cracked skull.
• Excessive Passengers. ATVs are designed for a specific number of people. Some are designed for a single rider while others are designed for two. Having more passengers on an ATV than intended increases the likelihood that one of those people will fall off and get injured. More than allowed passengers also throws the weight distribution of the vehicle off making rollovers more likely to happen.
• Difficult Terrain. Rough and unpredictable terrains are harder to navigate and may have some hidden obstacles that even experienced drivers might run into. These dangers are sometimes magnified when drivers operate in low visibility conditions such as riding at night, in fog, or in rain.
• Some ATVs have specific weight carrying capacities. Going over these capacities makes it more likely that the ATV will roll over.
• Other ATVs. Riding in groups may be fun, but it also makes riding ATVs more dangerous as it is difficult to predict what other drivers are going to do and communicate with the other drivers. These limitations increase the risk for collisions.

By understanding these common causes of ATV accidents, you can better prepare for your ATV adventures to reduce the risks.

What Steps can I take to Reduce the Risk of an ATV Accident?

There are a wide range of steps that you can take to ensure that you can have fun on an ATV. The ATV Safety Institute has 8 golden rules to follow to ensure ATV Safety.

• Always wear a Department of Transportation compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over the ankle boots, and gloves. This can help prevent cuts and bruises on limps, serious head damage, damage to your eye, and other physical injuries.
• Never ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law. ATVs are designed to be used off-road. By staying off paved roads as much as possible you also reduce the risk of getting hit by other vehicles.
• Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Operating an ATV is similar to that of a car or motorcycle. Consuming drugs and alcohol can seriously impair your judgment when operating an ATV and could lead to serious injuries.
• Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV, and no more than one passenger on an ATV specifically designed for two people. ATVs are specifically designed for certain numbers of passengers. Having more people on the vehicle than intended can throw off weight distributions and make it more likely that someone falls off the ATV.
• Ride an ATV that’s right for your age. ATVs have clear age requirements on all models. Not following these recommendations make it more likely that someone younger than allowed gets seriously hurt.
• Supervise riders younger than 16. ATVs are not toys and should not be given to children lightly. By supervising their use, you can ensure that your child is operating them as safely as possible.
• Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed. Going off designated ATV trails increases the likelihood that you will hit something or fall off the ATV. This danger is intensified if you are spending because you will have a slower reaction time to sudden changes in the environment.
• Take an ATV rider course to ensure that you know how to properly handle an ATV. ATVS can be incredibly dangerous for people who do not have a lot of experience driving them. By taking a training course on riding an ATV, you make sure you have the necessary skills to operate an ATV.

By taking these steps, you can help minimize the risks associated with ATVs while still having fun.

Examples of Settlements from ATV Accidents

Independence Day Crash leads to $2.5 Million Wrongful Death Settlement

A college student at an Independence Day party that involved underage drinking. He was riding on the back of a 4-wheeler that was operated by a drunk college student. The vehicle flipped causing the college student to lose his life. The driver was charged with homicide and involuntary manslaughter but was acquitted by the jury.

With the help of an experienced ATV accident attorney, the father of the dead college student filed a negligence suit against the driver for driving intoxicated and at a excessively fast. A suit was also filed against the party host for serving alcohol to everyone on a continuous basis prior to getting on the ATV.  While the criminal case got held back by the driver invoking his fifth amendment right to silence, the civil case got around this issue leading to a $2.7 million settlement.

13-Year-Old Injured in ATV Park Crash

A family went to a popular ATV park for a fun family outing. The park had strict safety rules to ensure that people were not hurt. While a 13 year old boy was in a sand bowl following all the park rules, a dirt bike operator, not following park guidelines, blindly jumped into the sand bowl. The dirt bike’s rear tire hit the boy’s helmet knocking him off the bike and causing significant injuries. Luckily the family’s uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage extended to ATV accidents.

With the help of an experienced ATV accident attorney, the family was able to secure a $350,000 settlement from their insurance policy. By hiring an experienced ATV accident attorney, you can ensure that you get the compensation you deserve!

ATV Flips into a $450,000 settlement

A college student was a passenger on an ATV that flipped over. The flip resulted in a fractured shoulder that had numerous complications. The client was required to undergo 2 shoulder surgeries and missed the rest of his college semester. While he recovered, he had just over $125,000 in medical bills.

The client hired an experienced ATV accident attorney and received a $450,000 settlement that covered his extensive medical bills and the pain and suffering he endured as a result of the injury.

Reach out to an Experienced Ohio ATV Accident Attorney Today!

If you or a loved one was killed or injured in an ATV accident, you need a skilled personal injury attorney to navigate your case and secure the compensation you deserve. At Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, our experienced ATV accident attorneys are dedicated to helping you through these difficult times. As one of the top-rated personal injury firms in Ohio, we understand the complexities of ATV accident cases and will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation and justice that you deserve.

Reach out to us today for a free case evaluation and discover how we can assist you in getting the justice and financial recovery you deserve. If we are unable to take your case, we will refer to someone we trust will handle your case with care. Let us put our experience, connections, and expertise to work for you and support you every step of the way!