Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) can be great fun for children and adults alike; unfortunately, these same recreational vehicles are the cause or mechanism of thousands upon thousands of personal injuries and, in some instances, the deaths of children. Just because an All Terrain Vehicle seems like great fun – – parents and other adults responsible for the care and well being of children should pay close attention to the statistics out there which show over 100,000 visits to the emergency room due to injuries / deaths attributed to All Terrain Vehicle use and operation. Some States like Pennsylvania have restrictions as age requiremnts for use of ATVs. While laws can help deter dangerous activities by children and dangerous activities permitted by adults, children across the Nation and in Pennsylvania continue to operate All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) without training, licensure, adult supervision, or proper training. There are dangers both when a child operates an ATV and when a child is a passenger of an ATV. At any moment, a child operator or passenger can fall off of an ATV. This can be especially dangerous if the child is not wearing a helmet, the ATV is being operated at a high rate of speed and / or is taking a sharp turn, and when the ATV is being operated on rough terrain or on a street.
In Michigan and other States, children, at times, are the unfortunate victims of personal injuries resulting from off road dirt bike and / or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) accidents. Parents and other adults should take all necessary precautions and steps to prevent injuries to a child as a result of these activities. Some safety advocates will argue that there should be an age limit in every State for the operation of a dirt bike and / or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle). Furthermore, safety advocates will argue that a helmet should be required for every operator / occupant of a dirt bike / ATV and especially for children. The use of off road dirt bikes and ATVs can be especially dangerous due to the speed of the bikes / ATVs, changing terrain, hidden dangers, stunts, and other factors. While it is impossible or unrealistic to believe that every injury or accident can be avoided, due care and thought should be taken to prevent injuries of children engaged in these activities or present in the area at the time of these activities.
An Ohio boy tragically died at Circleville Raceway Park. The six year old was diving his go-cart in a private session at the race track when he was hit by a motorcycle. Officials report that the go-cart spun out and was hidden behind a small hill when it was struck by the motorcycle. The child received treatment at the scene of the accident and was transported by air ambulance to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He later died from his injuries.
In Massachusetts, child safety advocates are trying to get tougher or more restrictive All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) legislation put in place. Currently, Massachusetts laws allows a child 10 years of age and older to ride on an ATV with adult supervision. Proposed legislation would raise the age in Massachusetts to 14 and older. Katie Kearney is a mother and a proponent of such legislation. Her son died following an ATV accident in 2006 after he suffered serious traumatic brain injuries. He was riding the ATV at a friend’s house.