Greensboro ATV Accident Lawyer

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The Greensboro ATV and All-terrain vehicle attorneys at Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers understand what families may experience following an injury or wrongful death involving use of an ATV. The physical, financial, and emotional damage can be devastating, especially if a child was involved. If you or a loved one was involved in an ATV wreck, it is imperative that you understand your legal rights and options under North Carolina law after immediate medical attention.

All Terrain Vehicles are an easy way to explore Guilford County’s countryside or survey large plots of land. These easy to use, powerful machines rarely get stuck in the mud, even during the heaviest rains. Since ATVs or quads do not have the safety features that are standard on automobiles, such as seat belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, or other safety mechanisms, extreme care must be exercises when operating an ATV. Reports of ATV accidents causing serious injury or death are more and more frequent, especially among young teens and children. In fact, the US Product Safety Commission estimates that of the 100,000+ injuries sustained using an ATV, 25% were less than 16 years old.

Greensboro Lawyers for ATV Accident Victims

With over 40 years combined legal experience, Auger & Auger has been helping victims of Greensboro ATV and all terrain vehicle accidents recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Often times, the injured person is a child, and we will conduct our own investigation into the facts surrounding the accident to determine who is responsible.

Safety Tips when Riding Your ATV

ATV can reach speeds of 75 mph and can weigh about 750 pounds. The most common causal factors in an ATV accident are driver inexperience and alcohol use. Other factors include lack of safety gear, speeding and too many riders on one vehicle. Wearing a helmet is the best way to prevent a serious injury in the event of an accident.  Due to the speed and weight of an ATV, injuries often occur when a driver or passenger is ejected from the ATV, or the ATV flips over and on to the driver or passenger. Some common injuries sustained in ATV accidents include:

  • Head, neck and spinal cord injuries
  • Back injury
  • Brian damage
  • Abdominal injuries, such as bleeding internally or broken ribs
  • Deep lacerations
  • Abrasions
  • Broken bones or fractures
  • Amputations
  • Paralysis
  • Wrongful death

Riding an ATV requires proper training, protective clothing and appropriate operation. Children under the age of 16 should not operate a large ATV meant for adults, and it is recommended that children under the age of 12 should not operate an ATV at all. Driving ATVs on the road is illegal in North Carolina, so always ride on designated trails during suitable weather conditions.

Three-wheeled ATVs were involved in so many accidents that the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against manufacturers. In 1987, manufacturers stopped producing three-wheeled ATVs due to the unresolved safety problems. Despite their discontinued manufacture, there are still approximately 2.4 million three-wheeled ATVs in use today. These vehicles are extremely dangerous because they do not provide the stability that four-wheeled ATVs have. Make sure you are up-to-date with ATV recalls.

Why You Need an Attorney with ATV Accident Experience

ATV accidents can be complicated, and it may not be immediately clear who the responsible party is. The responsible party could be the owner of the ATV or the driver. The team at Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers are experienced in obtaining compensation for victims of serious injury or wrongful death. If you or a loved one was involved in an ATV accident, time is of the essence. You may have growing medical bills, lengthy medical treatment, lost wages due to your injuries, or aggressive insurance companies hanging on your back. We will handle the insurance companies and ensure that you obtain appropriate medical treatment while you and your family can focus on healing and moving forward.