All-terrain vehicles (ATV) are 3- or 4-wheel vehicles used for driving off-road, whether for fun or for rescue. They are great for getting where you have to go on an unpaved road, or just for enjoying a drive through the woods or on the beach. However, because of the little protection they provide, they can be extremely dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions.
If you have suffered an ATV injury, you need a personal injury attorney who can get you the compensation you deserve for your accident.
Who can operate an ATV?
In the state of New Jersey, you do not need a permit or license to operate an ATV. According to state.nj.us, the vehicle must be registered and you must observe the following regulations:
- Driver must be 14.
- Carry proof of liability insurance and current registration.
- Use off-road only.
- If you are under 18 years old, you must enroll in the ATV Safety Institute course to operate an ATV, if you are operating a dirt bike you must enroll in the safety course provided by dirtbikeschool.com to obtain a safety certificate.
- Anyone under the age of 16 is prohibited from operating an ATV or Dirt Bike with an engine capacity greater than 90 cubic centimeters during training or while on public lands or waters or to cross a public roadway.
- Individuals cannot sell more powerful ATVs or Dirt Bikes to anyone under 16 years of age.
Because ATV drivers can be as young as 14, the operator may not have experience operating a vehicle and not understand how to properly navigate on a quad or a dirt bike. This can cause unnecessary injury for the driver, other riders, or pedestrians.
Types of ATV Accidents
There are many was an ATV accident can occur.
- DUI – Operating an ATV under the influence of drugs or alcohol is just as dangerous and illegal as driving a car while intoxicated. In fact, 30% of ATV accidents occur because of drugs or alcohol.
- Inexperienced drivers – Inexperienced drivers are over 10 times more likely to cause an accident than individuals who have experience operating an ATV.
- ATV is too large or small – The ATV industry recommends different sizes of ATV based on the size of the operator. This is because your body weight is necessary to make the vehicle turn properly. If too small of a child is operating an adult-sized ATV, they will not be able to control the vehicle.
- ATV Recalls – Many 3-wheel ATVs were recalled in the 1980s because of their higher rollover risk. Unfortunately, many of these vehicles still exist and can be extremely dangerous to operate.
Have you been injured?
If you have suffered an injury while operating an ATV or because of another person’s negligence on an ATV, you need a competent personal injury lawyer. Contact Attorney Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation and find out how to receive the compensation you deserve.
