Tag: ATV Lawyer

ATV Safety Tips that may Save Your Life

These days ATVs have become very popular especially among young teens and young adults. Unfortunately, if you do not know how to properly operate one or drive one, injuries can and will happen. Many people get injured in ATV accidents every day. It is important to have the proper training and know how to drive an ATV before using it to help you and your loved ones avoid serious injuries or accidents.

Here are some safety tips for riding and driving ATVs from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

  • Wear a helmet and protective gear and clothing
  • Do not ride tandem (or two on one ATV)
  • Do not ride on the payment
  • Do not let children ride on adult ATVs
  • Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Many injuries caused on ATVs are head injuries. Wearing a helmet that is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation may help prevent serious head or other injuries. Wearing protective gear and clothing will help protect against burns or abrasions to the skin.  Most ATVs were only made for one rider. Having more than one rider causes the weight to be off balance which makes it harder to control an ATV. It is best to ride with no passengers for overall safety. Other injuries and even deaths have occurred when riders drive ATVs on paved roads, they were not designed for this kind of pavement and they can collide with other vehicles easily.  Children have been involved in many deaths and injuries when riding on adult ATVs and more likely to get injured on an adult ATV if they are less than sixteen years of age, than on an ATV made for youth.  As with driving any vehicle or operating machinery, ATVs should not be driven while under the influence of alcohol or drugs because timing and judgment can be impaired causing more injuries and accidents.

For these reasons and for the safety of yourself, your loved ones and other drivers, it is important to follow these ATV safety tips. They really just might save your life.

If you or a loved one has been injured in ATV accident and would like your rights heard for your medical needs and other expenses, please contact a personal injury attorney right away. They will help you advocate for the rights of you and your loved one.

For additional information on ATV safety, you may visit: this link.

YAMAHA RHINO AT CENTER OF FEDERAL REGULATION CRITICISM

“The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is probing the design of so-called recreational off- highway vehicles after reports of fatal accidents involving the new, unregulated products.” – Alan Ohnsman

The CPSC review, although covering many brands, focuses primarily on the Yamaha Rhino.The Rhino has caught the attention of the CPSC after over 30 fatalities and many more injuries were reported.

The probe spotlights gaps in oversight of the vehicles, which have been produced for about five years.For the past five years, these vehicles have been categorized as All-Terrain Vehicles, or ATV’s.There are several key differences between vehicles such as the Rhino and conventional ATV’s. The Rhino is larger than conventional all-terrain vehicles, it has two side-by-side seats as opposed to a centered seat, and utilizes a steering wheel and protective roll cage.

Despite mounting evidence, The Yamaha Corporation insists that the Rhino is, “…one of the safest, most-reliable vehicles in the category.”Putting profit before customer safety, the Yamaha Corporation is attempting to protect its interests by defining the vehicle as an ATV as opposed to re-designing a safe product.Yamaha also claimed that unsafe use of the vehicles lies at the center of the problem, and that proper use will result in a drastically safer product.

Don’t be fooled.There are inherent design problems in the Rhino which have resulted in serious injuries.The center of gravity on the Rhino is significantly higher than the average ATV, making it prone to tipping.The lack of doors to keep limbs inside the vehicle also contributes to many crippling injuries and possible fatalities.These two factors highlight the danger of driving one of these vehicles through rough terrain.If the Rhino is truly an ATV, why is it so dangerous to drive it in rough terrain?

If you, your family, or anyone you know owns a vehicle such as the Rhino, please inform them immediately of the CSPC study and the potential hazard of driving it.Other vehicles with similar designs include Polaris’s Razor, Honda Motor Co.’s Big Red, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.’s Mule and Arctic Cat Inc.’s Prowler.

Contact an ATV accident lawyer in NJ