For many people, South Carolina can be an outdoorsman’s paradise. Our moderate weather conditions allow citizens to enjoy outdoor recreation activities during all months of the year. All terrain vehicles, more commonly known as “ATV’s” or “four wheelers” are commonly used for many outdoors activities in our state. Some choose to use these vehicles for hunting activities, while others simply ride ATV’s for recreational enjoyment. Before getting on an ATV, the Goings Law Firm wants you to be aware of the risks involved when riding these vehicles.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has shown research that suggests, injuries can occur on ATV’s from all sorts of accidents, including collisions and roll-overs. The most recent numbers from the CPSC suggest that there were over 100,000 ATV related injuries in 2010. Further the CPSC has conducted research that shows over half of accidents resulting in injuries happen when the driver was not wearing a helmet. Because drivers and riders sit on top of these ATV’s, they offer very little protection in the event of an accident. Further, ATV’s overturn in approximately 60% of ATV accidents where an injury results. Because these vehicles can be very heavy, this can pose a significant danger to riders and passengers.
Persons Not Permitted to Operate an ATV or 4-Wheeler in South Carolina
While ATVs are relatively safe when operated by qualified drivers who are operating within in a reasonable manner, they can be exceedingly dangerous when operated recklessly or by anyone strictly forbidden to do so by law. An overwhelming proportion of ATV and 4-wheeler accidents in Columbia and throughout South Carolina are the direct result of a person operating the vehicle recklessly, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or who is not legally permitted to do so, including anyone who is younger than 16 years of age and:
- Does not possess a safety certificate approved by the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute;
- Who is violating the manufacturer’s Age Restriction Warning Label, as required by standard ANSI/SVIA 1-2007;
- Who is not wearing a safety helmet meeting federal standards and eye protection;
- Who is carrying a passenger; or
- Not accompanied by an adult;
Consult with a Columbia, SC ATV & 4-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
ATV accidents can be especially dangerous for passengers who are not driving ATV’s. Further, in many instances children who drive ATV’s are doing so outside the supervision of a qualified adult, or in some cases without their parent’s knowledge at all. When operated recklessly or by operators not qualified to do so, the risk of an ATV or 4-wheeler accident becomes substantially elevated for everyone around them. If you have been injured in an ATV or 4-wheeler accident, call the Goings Law Firm, LLC at (803) 350-9230 to speak with a Columbia ATV or four wheeler accident lawyer today.
