Macon, GA, ATV Accident Lawyer

Used for recreational and rescue purposes, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) provide access to areas that are hard to reach with traditional vehicles.

However, thousands of injuries and fatalities have been reported from their use. Of particular concern is the fact that over a quarter of the people involved in ATV accidents are children. ATVs are defined as three- or four-wheeled motorized vehicles primarily used for off-road riding.

The first ATVs were manufactured with only three wheels and practically no safety standards. However, there were so many accidents and injuries that the federal justice department filed a lawsuit claiming that ATVs violated the Consumer Product Safety Act.

This led the ATV manufacturers to replace the three-wheeled models that were prone to rollovers with more stable four-wheeled ones (also referred to as “quads”). Despite this, far too many deaths and injuries still occur. Furthermore, the dangerous three-wheeled models were not recalled and are still being used.

What Causes ATV Accidents?

There are many different causes of ATV accidents, including:

• Driver inexperience
• Improper positioning
• No protective gear
• Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Too many riders
• Unsafe speed
• Manufacturing defects.

How Can a Macon ATV Accident Lawyer Help You Get Compensation for Your Injuries?

Being involved in an ATV accident can be a stressful and life-changing experience. You may have sustained severe physical and psychological injuries, which can cause you to miss work or have high medical bills. You are going to want to hire a legal professional who can get you a fair settlement or a victory in court so that you can be made whole again. What can an ATV accident lawyer do for you? Here are some reasons to contact one.

• When you first meet with an ATV accident lawyer, they will discuss with you details about your particular case.
• They will interview witnesses and first responders who came to your aid.
• They will read police and medical reports to get a better perspective on the accident and injuries you have.
• They will hire medical and ATV experts who can testify for you at trial and provide insight.
• They will speak and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to come to a fair and reasonable settlement.
• If a settlement cannot be reached, an ATV accident lawyer will file a lawsuit in court and put your case in front of a jury.

There are many other things that a Macon ATV accident attorney can do for you. That said, you are going to need a lawyer that you trust and who has the experience and knowledge to fight for your rights and get you compensated for your injuries.

Why You Should Choose the Mann Law Firm for Your Macon ATV Accident Lawyer?

There are numerous lawyers in Macon, Georgia, who will want to take on your case. The ATV accident lawyer at the Mann Law Firm stands above the rest for many reasons. Here are some reasons why you should choose us to help get you compensation for your ATV injuries:

• David Mann handles every case personally and will not pass off your case to less experienced staff.
• David has worked as an in-house counsel for a large insurance company, which gave him essential information on the inner workings of insurance companies.
• David gets results for his clients, including $1 million in compensation for a tractor-trailer accident.
• Our clients have told us how happy they were with our representation, with one client saying that the firm is “easily the best injury law firm in Macon”
• David cares about his community and has been active in Macon clubs and worthwhile causes, such as the Macon Touchdown Club.

If you have been involved in an ATV accident and need money to pay your medical bills or due to lost work, give us a call at (478) 742-3381 to discuss your case.

Common ATV Injuries

The most common injury-causing ATV accidents involve vehicles rolling or flipping over. ATVs are prone to rollovers because they do not respond well to steering input by the driver, particularly on turns. They are slow to react at first, and then they snap around from a severe understeer to a severe oversteer.

Furthermore, ATVs should not be operated on public streets because, although they can reach highway speeds, their low-pressure tires are not designed for paved roads. These design issues are problematic enough for any operator.

When coupled with the underdeveloped reflexes of children as well as their impaired ability to perceive risk, ATV operation becomes an inherently dangerous activity that can cause serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, neck injury, fractures, dislocations, and chest injuries.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are not held to federal safety standards for cars and trucks and are instead regulated by the states.

As such, a patchwork of regulations exists, with states setting varying standards for required safety equipment, operator licensing, the number of allowed passengers, and the minimum age of the driver.

Macon, GA, ATV Laws

In Georgia, there are neither license nor training requirements, nor a legal age limit to operate an ATV, nor a helmet law. In fact, the only current law concerning ATVs in Georgia is that they are not permitted to be operated on sand dunes or beaches anywhere in the state except as authorized.

Even though the laws are lax in Georgia when it comes to ATVs, it is important to be as safe as possible when operating one.  Some tips that you can use to remain safe while operating an ATV include:

• Wearing long pants and long sleeves and always wearing a helmet.
• Do not operate an ATV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Do not add another passenger with you unless your ATV is built for more than one person.
• Do not operate your ATV on paved roads.

While there is no 100% method of not being injured while on an ATV, by putting these measures in place, you are decreasing the chance that you will be involved in an accident. If you do get into an accident, call Mann Law at (478) 742-3381 for a free consultation.

Keeping Children Safe on ATVs

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that children younger than 16 should not drive a “full-size” ATV. Adult-size ATVs may have an engine capacity ranging from 125cc to 400cc, while 90cc and 50cc models have throttle controls so parents can adjust the maximum speed.

The varied sizes of ATV engines and frames should be taken into account when determining the appropriate model for your size and age. Children should be supervised both as riders and as bystanders. Even though some ATVs have seats that can fit more than one person, for safety reasons, they are intended to carry only one rider.

And although there is no helmet law in Georgia for off-road vehicles, all riders should wear the proper gear — a helmet with a DOT-approved sticker, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirt and pants, and over-the-ankle boots.

Mann Law Answers Your Important ATV Injury Questions

While every case is different, we do get some frequent questions from current and potential clients. The questions below are some of the most common questions that we are asked.

What are some of the common injuries caused by ATV accidents? 

While ATV accidents can result in several types of injuries, the most common are traumatic brain injuries, whiplash and other neck and shoulder injuries, facial injuries, and back injuries.

How much will my case cost? 

We work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means that we only get paid if you get compensated through a settlement or a jury verdict.

Who can I sue if I am injured in an ATV accident? 

Some parties that may be held liable for an accident involving an ATV include the driver, the owner of the ATV, the ATV manufacturer, or a company that sold an ATV part or equipment.

How long will it take to get a settlement check? 

Each case is different, but it could take up to a year or more to receive a settlement check. You may jump at the first dollar amount put in front of you, but you should speak at length with your attorney before accepting a settlement from an insurance company.

Do I need to register my ATV? 

Georgia does not have any laws that state that you have to register your ATV or get insurance for it, as long as it is being used as an off-road vehicle.  Driving your ATV on regular roads is considered a motor vehicle and subject to those rules and regulations.

What information should I bring with me on my first appointment with a lawyer? 

You should bring as much information as you have, such as photos of the accident scene, police reports, medical reports, and the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.

Georgia ATV Injuries & Legal Help

If you or someone you love has been injured in an ATV accident in Georgia, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your costs such as medical bills, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, and loss of earnings. With offices in Macon, the ATV accident attorneys of the Mann Law Firm are ready to help those whose lives have been affected by ATV crashes.

If you have a claim, you can trust that you have a knowledgeable attorney on your side. We represent clients throughout the state of Georgia, including the communities of Macon, Dublin, Warner Robins, and Milledgeville.