Atlanta ATV Accident Lawyer

These days, ATV accidents are all-too-common. Whether falling victim to a careless motor vehicle operator, a defective ATV design, or an unreasonable hazard on a piece of property, serious injuries and even death can result.

When you are hurt, it’s important to make sure you know your rights. With hundreds of accidents happening each year, there are plenty of state and local laws as well as federal regulations that you may be able to use to hold the responsible party liable for the damages you have suffered.

In these kinds of cases, it’s best to contact an experienced ATV accident attorney. They’ll be able to use the law to your advantage, building a strong case so you can seek every penny you’re owed.

The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm has represented thousands of injury victims in the Atlanta area and throughout the southeast. We understand just how dangerous ATVs can be, especially when others create hazards that put your life at risk. Our sole goal is to ease you through this difficult time while helping you seek the maximum compensation possible.

We are available for free consultations, and our contingency arrangements mean that you don’t pay anything for our services unless and until we win damages for you. Find out more about how to start your case and what it could be worth when you contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review.

When Should I Contact an Atlanta ATV Accident Attorney?

If you have been in an ATV accident where another party may be liable, it’s important to contact an attorney. An experienced Atlanta ATV Accident Attorney will help you understand your legal rights and strategic options available. We’ll help you develop a case strategy that can provide you with the highest chances of getting the compensation you need to recover and move on with your life.

Generally, if you were recently involved in an ATV accident that left you with a significant financial burden such as medical expenses, vehicle damages, or lost wages due to missing work due to physical or mental injuries, it’s important to talk to an attorney to discuss your damages and who might be liable.

The first step, though, is always seeking medical attention. If you are able, also try to secure evidence from the scene of the accident, including photographs of the location, the condition of the ATV, any injuries you have suffered, and any other vehicles involved. Once you have received a full medical evaluation and diagnosis, we can help you seek to fully recover all of the costs of medical treatment you will need, as well as any other damages you have suffered.

How Many ATV Accidents Happen Near Atlanta Each Year?

It’s no secret that ATV accidents can be dangerous, and even deadly. In Georgia alone, an average of 150 ATV-related fatalities occur each year, with 44 fatal incidents occurring from 2016 to 2018 alone.

Nationwide, ATV injury and accident data tells an even more dire story. Most states don’t even require that ATV riders wear helmets, despite the fact that thousands of people are injured annually. In the United States alone, there were an estimated 136,000 ATV-related injuries resulting in emergency room visits in 2018.

The stats don’t lie: ATVs can be hazardous if used incorrectly and without the proper safety precautions. The above figures underscore the importance of knowing when and how to reach out to an Atlanta ATV accident lawyer if you or a loved one have been injured or killed in an accident. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can make sure you understand your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.

What Are the Leading Causes of ATV Accidents?

When mastering the thrills of an ATV, it’s important to understand the most common causes of ATV accidents. From unexpected obstacles on the trails to larger vehicles on nearby roadways, here are some of the primary factors that could lead to disaster:

• Driver Error — Inexperience or poor judgment can lead to unsafe driving, which may lead to an accident
• Speeding — Going too fast can increase the chances of a crash, particularly one that involves another vehicle or person
• Defective Parts — It is always important to keep your ATV in good repair and properly maintained, as defective parts can cause serious accidents
• Alcohol Use — Alcohol reduces a rider’s ability to respond safely to obstacles, and it remains a major contributing factor in many ATV accidents
• Environmental Factors — Weather, road conditions, and unfamiliar terrain all affect how an ATV responds, so remember to adjust your speed accordingly.

Despite taking all of these precautions, you may still be put at risk by other outside factors, which can cause an ATV accident. These include defective ATV parts or design, accidents caused by other vehicles, unreasonable hazards on properties where you have permission to ride, and failure to properly maintain provided ATVs or adequately supervise their use.

The physical and emotional trauma caused by these incidents can be serious, so make sure to never ride alone and always gear up before hitting the trail.

Can I Sue the Liable Party if My Loved One Was Injured in an ATV Accident?

Yes, you can sue the liable party for any injuries sustained in an ATV accident. An experienced Atlanta ATV accident attorney can help you file an injury claim against the responsible party.

The liable party is most often the manufacturer or seller of the ATV, or the driver who caused the accident. Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, emotional trauma, and any financial hardship incurred as a result of your loved one’s injury.

Keep in mind, though, that certain laws may limit your ability to bring a lawsuit against a government entity or private person. An Atlanta ATV accident attorney will be familiar with all applicable local and state laws and be able to provide guidance on how to pursue your case legally and ethically.

Can I Build an ATV Accident Case if the Incident Happened on a Normal Road?

Georgia law prohibits the use of ATVs on public roads or directly alongside highways and other roadways. When operating an ATV on or near a public road, the operator is expected to minimize the time and distance spent in these areas. Ideally, they will simply be crossing the road perpendicularly, or along the shortest possible path.

In some situations, though, a person may be reasonably operating an ATV according to these guidelines and still face the risk of a regular passenger car or truck causing an accident. These types of accidents are even more common when individuals on the road choose to speed, drive under the influence, or otherwise behave irresponsibly.

When it comes to proving fault in an ATV accident on a regular roadway, there are a few key elements that your attorney will analyze:

1. Who was at fault for the accident? (This can include drivers of other vehicles, pedestrians or even the driver of the ATV).
2. Was the driver of the ATV operating their vehicle safely and following all applicable traffic laws?
3. Was the driver of any other vehicle(s) involved in the incident also acting safely and following traffic laws?
4. Did any hazardous conditions, such as potholes or debris on the road, contribute to the accident?
5. Did bad weather or poor visibility play any role in causing, or worsening, the accident?
6. Did any bystanders or other drivers break applicable laws that contributed to or worsened the accident?

Your Atlanta ATV accident lawyer can examine all of the details of your case in order to determine the most effective legal strategy for pursuing damages. In many cases, the fact that the ATV operator was on or near a public road may be determined to be a non-factor in the collision that occurred. In cases where the ATV operator was deemed to have taken risks, however, Georgia’s contributory negligence laws allow the injured party to still seek damages, so long as they did not have the majority (51%) of perceived responsibility for the accident occurring.

Who Is Liable in an Offroad Vehicle Accident?

When it comes to determining who is liable in an ATV accident, there are several parties that may be responsible. In some cases, it may be the driver of the ATV. In others, it may be the manufacturer or owner of the vehicle.

In Georgia, the term ‘off-road vehicle’ means any motorized vehicle designed primarily for use on off-highway terrain and not registered or licensed for highway or public road use. Also sometimes called “four wheelers” or “quads”, these vehicles must also be equipped with some type of suspension system and have tires designed to traverse rough terrain.

If you are involved in an ATV accident in Atlanta, here are a few parties who may be held liable:

1. The driver of the ATV — If you were hurt due to another person’s reckless driving or negligence while operating an off-road vehicle, the relevant driver can be held legally responsible for your injuries.
2. The manufacturer — If defective parts or design flaws caused an accident involving the off-road vehicle, this party could be liable for damages resulting from that accident.
3. The owner of the property or ATV — If you were injured due to a hazardous condition that existed on someone else’s property where you were driving an ATV, then that person (or company) may potentially be held responsible for your injuries.

What Kinds of Damages May Be Available in an ATV Crash Claim?

If you’ve been injured in an ATV accident, the law allows you to seek compensation for the harms you’ve suffered. This is done by filing a claim with the liable party’s insurer or, when necessary, filing a lawsuit in court. Depending on the type of crash and severity of your injuries, you may be eligible for two different kinds of damages: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages will encompass any of the quantifiable losses an accident victim experiences due to an ATV crash. These typically include medical expenses, lost wages, and damage to personal property.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are harder to quantify because they don’t have a set dollar amount associated with them. These might include things like pain and suffering caused by your injury, as well as emotional distress or loss of consortium; all of which can be difficult to prove in court without the help of an experienced Atlanta ATV accident attorney.

How Can an ATV Accident Lawyer Help Me?

An experienced attorney can help to ensure that your case is heard, and that you get the highest chances possible of recovering financial compensation you deserve.

On top of that, they can also:

1. Evaluate your legal options and carefully explain them to you
2. Represent your interests in court, if needed
3. Collect evidence to support your case and prove fault on the part of the other party
4. Negotiate settlements with insurance companies
5. File an official civil lawsuit in court and prepare the necessary documents
6. Guide you through the legal process from beginning to end, including providing advice on potential outcomes and timelines

These actions will give you the best chance at getting a fair outcome for your case. Keep in mind that attempting to represent yourself in an ATV accident case could also result in lack of awareness of how to respond to common defenses or awareness of legal options available to you, typically resulting in less financial compensation than if you had hired an experienced attorney to help build your case for you.

Protect Your Legal Rights After an ATV Accident

Remember that the right Atlanta ATV accident attorney will not only provide strong legal advice, but they can also walk you through the immediate next steps you need to take after your accident. This includes helping you file a report with the police as soon as possible, setting up appointments with witnesses, and gathering necessary evidence.

If your attorney determines that you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries or property losses due to the ATV accident, they’ll also assist in negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. They can even help you calculate damages and prepare for court appearances as needed.

Reach out to a Qualified Atlanta ATV Accidents Attorney Today

After any accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. So if you’ve found this page after already experiencing a life-changing ATV accident, simply head on over to this contact page to schedule a consultation with the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm team today. Our legal team will be able to evaluate your case to decide whether you have enough evidence to hold the responsible party accountable, or advise you on the best next steps for your particular situation.

In any case, you’re going to want to proceed with the best legal representation possible, so you can be confident that your case will receive the attention and respect it deserves. The experienced attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm will ensure that you use every strategy available in order to seek the maximum compensation you’re owed.

So don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation case review with an experienced ATV injury lawyer in Atlanta today. We’ll listen to your story and help you move fast on a claim that could help you and your family recover from your devastating accident.