Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) can provide an enjoyable way to travel, work, and spend time outdoors. Unfortunately, when a motorcycle or ATV accident occurs, riders are often exposed to a much greater risk of serious injury than occupants of passenger vehicles.
Because motorcycles and ATVs provide limited protection, even a relatively short-distance crash can result in significant injuries. Victims may face extensive medical treatment, lost wages, property damage, and long-term physical and emotional consequences.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle or ATV accident, understanding how these accidents happen and what steps to take afterward can be important in protecting your rights.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can happen for many different reasons. In some cases, another driver’s negligence is responsible for the crash. Common causes include:
- A driver failing to see a motorcycle
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following a motorcycle too closely
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Aggressive or careless driving
- Poor roadway conditions
- Defective or improperly maintained motorcycle components
Motorcycles are smaller than most passenger vehicles and can be more difficult for other motorists to see. A driver who fails to recognize a motorcycle’s presence can cause a serious collision, particularly at intersections or when changing lanes.
Road Conditions Can Contribute to Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcyclists can be particularly vulnerable to roadway defects and hazards. Potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, debris, standing water, and other dangerous conditions can cause a motorcycle to lose traction or stability.
Depending on the circumstances, responsibility for an accident involving a dangerous roadway condition may extend beyond the individuals involved in the crash. Determining who may be legally responsible requires an examination of the specific facts and circumstances.
Common Causes of ATV Accidents
ATV accidents can occur on trails, private property, farms, construction sites, and other locations. Because ATVs are often operated over uneven or unpredictable terrain, riders can face unique risks.
Common causes of ATV accidents include:
- Excessive speed
- Rollovers
- Steep or uneven terrain
- Inexperienced or improperly trained riders
- Operating an ATV that is inappropriate for the rider
- Carrying passengers on an ATV designed for one rider
- Alcohol or drug use
- Defective ATV components
- Improper maintenance
- Unsafe property conditions
- Failure to use appropriate protective equipment
ATV rollovers can be particularly dangerous. A rider may be thrown from the ATV or become trapped underneath it, potentially resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Serious Injuries Caused by Motorcycle and ATV Accidents
Because riders have limited protection, motorcycle and ATV crashes can result in severe injuries. These may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken and fractured bones
- Internal injuries
- Road rash and severe skin injuries
- Amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Shoulder and other orthopedic injuries
- Permanent disabilities
- Fatal injuries
Some injuries require extensive medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, or ongoing care. In serious cases, an injured person may be unable to return to work or perform the activities they enjoyed before the accident.
The Importance of Wearing Protective Equipment
Wearing appropriate protective equipment can help reduce the severity of injuries in a motorcycle or ATV accident. Riders should consider using appropriate helmets, protective clothing, gloves, boots, and eye protection.
However, wearing protective equipment does not eliminate the possibility of serious injury. Even a rider who follows appropriate safety precautions can be seriously injured when another person is negligent or when a defective vehicle or dangerous condition contributes to an accident.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle or ATV Accident?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle or ATV accident, your first priority should be obtaining appropriate medical care. Even when injuries do not initially appear serious, some conditions may become more apparent in the hours or days following a crash.
When possible, you should also:
- Report the accident to the appropriate authorities.
- Seek medical attention and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
- Photograph the accident scene, vehicles, roadway, property damage, and visible injuries.
- Obtain the names and contact information of witnesses.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other parties involved.
- Keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, and other treatment documentation.
- Preserve photographs, videos, repair estimates, and other evidence related to the accident.
- Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media.
- Avoid making statements accepting responsibility for the accident before the circumstances have been fully investigated.
Motorcycle and ATV Insurance Claims
Insurance issues involving motorcycles and ATVs can be complicated. Depending on the circumstances, there may be questions concerning the injured rider’s insurance coverage, the insurance coverage of another vehicle involved in the accident, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or other potentially applicable policies.
An attorney can review the available insurance policies and accident circumstances to determine what sources of coverage may potentially apply.
Who May Be Responsible for a Motorcycle or ATV Accident?
Determining liability requires a careful investigation of the accident. Depending on the circumstances, a potentially responsible party may include:
- Another motorist
- A motorcycle or ATV owner
- A vehicle manufacturer
- A repair facility or mechanic
- A property owner
- A business or commercial operator
- A government entity responsible for roadway maintenance
- Another individual whose negligence contributed to the accident
Every accident is different. Evidence such as photographs, witness statements, police reports, medical records, vehicle damage, surveillance footage, and accident reconstruction may be important in determining what happened and who may be responsible.
How an Attorney Can Help After a Motorcycle or ATV Accident
After a serious motorcycle or ATV accident, an injured person may be dealing with medical treatment, lost income, property damage, insurance companies, and uncertainty about the future.
A personal injury attorney can investigate the accident, identify potentially responsible parties, review applicable insurance coverage, gather evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for the damages supported by the circumstances of the case.
Potential compensation in a personal injury claim may include damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, disability, and other losses, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Contact a Motorcycle and ATV Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a motorcycle or ATV accident, it is important to understand your rights and the potential sources of compensation available to you.
At Joseph M. Ghabour & Associates, LLC, our personal injury attorneys represent individuals who have been injured in motor vehicle, motorcycle, and other types of accidents. We can investigate the circumstances of your accident, evaluate potential liability and insurance coverage, and help you understand your legal options.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle or ATV accident, contact Joseph M. Ghabour & Associates, LLC to discuss your case.
