South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
A Christmas Day ATV accident claimed the life of a young Fort Lauderdale man. The 20-year-old was riding his all-terrain vehicle (ATV) when it collided with an SUV. According to CBS Miami, it happened at the intersection of NW 8th Avenue and NW 5th Street just before 2:00 p.m.
The young rider was on his ATV when he slammed into a Tahoe driven by a 57-year-old local man. According to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the ATV was heading west on NW 5th Street. As he attempted to cross through the NW 8th Avenue intersection, the ATV struck the front passenger side door. The victim was thrown from the ATV upon impact. He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators have yet to determine who is at fault in the accident.
Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys understand that South Florida is a popular place for ATV and other off-road activities. Unfortunately, it’s also a popular place for accidents, too. Those who are riding new ATVs after the holidays should be particularly cognizant of the risks.
According to ATVSafety.gov, there were more than 315 people killed in ATV accidents in the U.S. in 2010. In addition to these fatalities, there were another 120,000 injured. From 1982 to 2010, there have been more than 460 people killed in these kinds of accidents in the state of Florida.
Florida ATV Laws:
-ATVs that operate on public land are required to be titled. However, there are no registration requirements.
-Riders who are under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet and eye protection while riding.
-ATVs are not allowed to drive on paved roads.
If you’re going to be riding an ATV, you’re urged to complete an ATV safety training course. Drivers who have this training and experience typically have lower accident and injury risks than those who don’t. It’s also important that you’re wearing the proper safety gear. Wearing a helmet greatly reduces your risks of injury. When looking for a helmet, it’s important that you choose a motorcycle or other motorized sports helmet. You also want to make sure the helmet is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
You should never drive an ATV with a passenger. Most ATVs are designed for only one person. Drivers need to shift their weight when steering and maneuvering. This can be difficult with a passenger riding along.
Don’t ride ATVs on paved road. They’re not made for it and they can be difficult to control. Accidents with cars and other vehicles also can be deadly. As a matter of fact, many fatalities involving ATVs occur on paved roads.
Recently, the growing popularity of ATVs and the increasing size and power of the vehicles has led to concern over injury risk. Be safe out there and take all of the proper safety precautions to help to reduce your risks of an accident.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an ATV accident, contact the South Florida personal injury lawyers at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez. Call today for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Injury Victim Starts Foundation to Help Others with Spinal Cord Injuries, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, November 16, 2012
Injury in Fort Lauderdale: Beach Vehicle Runs Over Sunbather, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, May 3, 2012