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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Are There Rules that Apply To ATVs And What Happens If Someone Is Wounded?

By Hugio Mulroney


A LA injury attorney has to handle many cases, but more often than not, when handling accident victims concerning ATV's, it can be pretty serious. All terrain vehicles (ATV's) can be great fun to ride and there's nothing better than off-roading or nature trailing in a purpose built car. They're often used as working cars and are especially popular in farming communities when farmlands cover massive areas. However in the state of California alone, from the period of 1982 thru to 2008, there were 516 fatalities, and additionally annoying is that between 1982 and 2004, 95 of these deaths were kids below the age of sixteen and this is on the rise

So what's the legal ATV driving age in California? A LA injury counsel explains:

No persons under the age of 18 are permitted to drive an ATV on public land. However children can legally drive, on the proviso that they're with an adult over the age of 18 who holds a safety certificate. In this example in the state of California, they have to be fourteen years or over and under stern supervision of an adult. As you can imagine an ATV has four wheels and a forceful engine, yet it is true that any responsible adult would not let a fourteen year old behind the wheels of a car. So why would you let a kid drive an all terrain vehicle?

In general ATV's are not authorized on the roads, and that is the reason why the law states that minors are allowed to drive all terrain autos. The age limits change relying upon which state you reside in.

So why has there been a Rise in fatalities?

Experts agree that one of the main reasons for an increase in fatal injuries concerning ATV's is that the makers are now making vehicles that are stronger, heavier and more powerful, and since many children and indeed youngsters are not used to handling vehicles of this magnitude then it can be quite simply an accident waiting to happen. On top of this, many government officials say that there's a struggle between the manufacturers who are constantly looking to destroy the limits of design and make the strongest machines, and the govt who is looking to raise the legal age driving limit for ATV's. Contemporary studies by independent bodies have stated that drivers under the age of fifteen are twice as certain to lose control over their cars as an adult.

The downcast thing is that in several states there isn't any legal minimum age requirement, when operating an ATV and children as young as eight and 9 can legally ride these machines. In numerous states there also are no safety helmet laws. Fortunately California is one of the luckier ones, but having mentioned that, over eighteen deaths a year in CA is still far too high.



So what are the primary injuries received when a participant in an ATV accident and what causes them?

The most important reason injuries happen when driving ATVs happens when the auto impacts with another vehicle or object and flips over. This can result in severe head and spinal injuries. In fact a Los Angeles injury lawyer explains that around seventy five % of all ATV accidents are serious enough to deserve a prolonged stay in hospital. Reasons for this is going to be down to unrestrained speed, not listening to the immediate environment, excessive alcohol and even pony play. On top of this, the amount of people who do not wear a safety helmet is disturbingly high.

So what steps can be taken to avoid accidents?

Many dealers and makers offer training classes on how to properly ride an ATV, but as yet a vast majority of folks select not to attend. It won't be long before regulations start to come in and therefore the administration may make driver training compulsory. It also should be made law that folks (particularly minors under sixteen) be made to wear a safety helmet. By making folk more aware about the dangers of not wearing a helmet, it might drive the point home Also younger generations and amateur fans should all ride ATV's that are not as powerful, and will be monitored at all times by an authorized adult. Right now incredibly there is no power limit for minor drivers in the state of California and only common sense prevails.

If you or somebody that you know has been concerned and hurt in an ATV or auto accident, then you may very well be entitled to fiscal compensation. If you talk to a L. A. injury lawyer who makes a speciality of ATV related accidents, they will do everything in their power to supply the victim, the compensation they deserve.




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