Chicago ATV Accident Lawyer

Helping Victims Recover Fair Compensation Following ATV Injuries

If you’ve been injured in an ATV crash, speaking with a Chicago ATV accident lawyer can play a critical role in protecting your rights and securing financial support. 

All-terrain vehicles offer little protection to riders, making accidents especially dangerous, often leading to serious injuries, such as spinal cord injury or damage to internal organs. Whether caused by operator negligence, other drivers, or hazardous terrain, these incidents can result in long-term emotional distress and overwhelming medical expenses.

ATV accidents in the Chicago area often occur in places like forest preserves, construction zones, private farmland, and off-road trails in nearby counties such as Will, Lake, and McHenry. These environments can pose serious risks when ATV operators fail to follow safety guidelines or engage in reckless behavior.

Our team brings extensive knowledge of personal injury law and conducts a thorough investigation into every case. We identify negligent actions, evaluate insurance policies, and pursue full compensation for both physical and emotional injuries. Book a free consultation today.

ATV Accident Compensation We’ve Recovered

With years of experience handling personal injury cases involving serious off-road vehicle crashes, our team has secured substantial results for victims and their families. From head injuries to soft tissue injuries and long-term emotional distress, we fight to ensure every injured party receives the compensation they deserve. Here’s one example of our work:

$4,500,000 – Secured for a minor who sustained a traumatic brain injury after being thrown from the back of a four-wheeler operated by a family friend. The case involved both operator negligence and product liability. 

Compensation was recovered from the homeowner’s insurance and the ATV manufacturer to help cover the child’s extensive medical expenses and long-term care needs.

How Common Are ATV Accidents in Illinois?

The latest ATV accident statistics reveal that, in 2022, there were 18 reported ATV and UTV accidents in Illinois that led to injuries, involving a total of 44 individuals. Tragically, 10 of those cases resulted in fatalities. The majority of incidents involved ATVs (10 out of 18) and took place on roadways (13 out of 18).

The average age of injured individuals was 33.8 years. Victims ranged in age from as young as 6 to as old as 74. Most of those involved were 35 or younger, with 22% being under the age of 16. Accidents peaked in the summer, particularly in June and July, each seeing four reported incidents.

What Chicago Ordinances and Illinois Laws Govern All-Terrain Vehicle Usage?

In Illinois, ATVs are generally prohibited from being operated on public roads, except under specific conditions such as crossing at a 90-degree angle or on designated trails (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1). In Chicago, ATVs and similar vehicles are banned from public streets, sidewalks, and parks under Municipal Code § 9-12-110.

Violating these laws can affect personal injury claims. If an ATV operator is injured while unlawfully riding on a paved road, it may limit their ability to recover damages or shift liability depending on the circumstances.

The Most Common Causes of ATV Crashes

There are many different causes of ATV accidents, such as the following:

• Inexperienced drivers
• Driving on paved roads
• Reckless driving
• Lack of ATV maintenance 
• Faulty ATV parts
• Speeding
• Lack of protective gear
• Driving under the influence
• Riding double
• Inclement weather
• Riding without adult supervision
• Performing dangerous stunts

The Most Common ATV Accident Injuries

The most common injuries in ATV-related accidents are as follows: 

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – A traumatic brain injury is a common head injury from the blunt force trauma associated with being thrown from an ATV or struck by an object during a crash. 
• Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries are common in ATV accidents due to the lack of protection these vehicles offer.
• Broken bones – Broken bones and lacerations are very common ATV injuries, even in single-vehicle accidents. 
• Neck injuries – Whiplash can cause serious neck injuries after an ATV accident, as a result of the sudden force or movement associated with hitting a stationary object.
• Facial injuries – Even if riders wear a helmet, it is still possible to suffer from facial injuries. 

How Our ATV Accident Attorneys Can Help

The process of filing an ATV injury claim doesn’t have to be complicated when you work with the ATV accident lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. The first step is to schedule a free case evaluation with an ATV accident attorney. During the consultation, your lawyer will discuss your legal options based on the specifics of your case. 

Should you decide to move forward, your personal injury lawyer will start the process of investigating your case. They will gather evidence, including medical records, witness testimony, and video surveillance, if possible. 

Next, your ATV injury lawyer will negotiate with the at-fault parties and any insurance companies involved. Through these negotiations, your attorney will ensure that you receive fair compensation. If negotiations aren’t possible, your lawyer will prepare your case to go to trial. 

You Have Limited Time to File an ATV Accident Claim

The statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a claim after a serious injury. If you wait too long, you may lose the right to sue the ATV operator, owner, or another liable party.

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability is two years from the date of injury, as outlined in 735 ILCS 5/13-202.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works with seriously injured clients nationwide. During your free consultation, our team will help you understand how the statute of limitations applies to your case and ensure your claim is filed on time. 

Legal Liability for Recreational Vehicle Accidents

Establishing liability after an ATV accident is essential for any personal injury case. Depending on the facts, multiple parties may be responsible. An experienced attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who should be held accountable for your injuries.

Liable parties may include:

• The owner of the ATV for allowing unsafe use, poor maintenance, or lack of supervision.
• The ATV operator when negligent actions, such as reckless driving or ignoring safety rules, contribute to the crash.
• Other drivers, if a vehicle struck the ATV on a public roadway.
• The ATV manufacturer if a mechanical failure or design flaw caused the accident.
• The property owner can be liable if the crash occurred on private land with unsafe conditions, such as hidden obstacles or a lack of warning signs. Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130), landowners must take reasonable care to protect lawful visitors from known hazards.

The Difference between Other MVA and ATV Accidents

There are major differences between a car accident and an ATV accident. The injuries sustained during a car accident tend to be less catastrophic than in an ATV accident, as there are more protections in vehicles, such as airbags, seatbelts, and safety technology, that are designed to operate on highways. 

Even in a simple ATV accident, riders can face blunt force trauma and even death. As a result, the medical expenses in ATV accidents tend to be much higher than in the average car accident case.

There are also more established laws for cars, such as speed limits, local driving regulations, and the requirement for insurance coverage.

If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, whether it’s an ATV or a car, understanding the legal options available to you is critical. Our Chicago car accident lawyer team can help you navigate the complexities of car accident cases, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. 

In many cases, ATV owners aren’t required to carry separate bodily injury insurance for their vehicles, which can complicate the claims process. In Illinois, coverage often depends on the specifics of the policy and whether the ATV is considered an off-road or street-legal vehicle. 

Our team regularly handles cases involving disputes over whether car insurance covers ATV accidents, especially when traditional auto policies don’t clearly extend to recreational use.

Financial Compensation That We Can Secure for ATV Accident Victims

There is no standard settlement amount for ATV accident injuries. Even two cases with similar injuries and circumstances can have different outcomes in terms of settlement size. 

Factors Affecting ATV Accident Settlements

Several key elements can significantly impact how much compensation you may receive in an ATV accident claim, including: 

Medical Costs, Property Damage, and Other Losses

The higher your medical treatment expenses and property damage, the larger your potential settlement. Cases involving surgery, long-term care, or significant financial losses tend to result in higher payouts than those with minor injuries and limited bills.

Severity of Injuries

The extent of your injuries matters. Catastrophic harm—like rib fractures, internal bleeding, or permanent disability—often leads to larger settlements than soft tissue injuries or other recoverable conditions.

Insurance Coverage

The type and amount of insurance coverage available can influence your recovery. When a claim involves an insurance carrier (especially with higher policy limits), the chances of securing a larger settlement increase significantly.

Strength of Evidence and Witness Testimony

Photos, medical records, crash reports, and credible witnesses all strengthen your claim. The more compelling your evidence, the more pressure there is on insurers to settle fairly, often before trial.

Comparative Fault

If you’re found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you can still recover damages if you’re less than 51% at fault, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

Damages That Our ATV Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover

There are different types of damages that ATV accident attorneys can recover based on what happened in the ATV crash, who is liable, and who is filing the claim.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are related to measurable monetary losses and often include the following:

• Medical expenses, including emergency room visits 
• Rehabilitation cost
• Skilled nursing care
• Lost wages 
• Vehicle replacement
• Property replacement

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages do not directly relate to monetary losses. The court uses calculations in the legal process to award non-economic damages based on various calculations. Common non-economic damages assessed in cases involving an ATV collision include the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma 
• Disfigurement
• Scarring

Punitive Damages

While rare, in some cases, a judge may assess punitive damages when a defendant has acted egregiously and put people in harm’s way. The intention of punitive damages is to dissuade the defendant from acting in a similar way in the future or to send a message.

ATV Accident Wrongful Death Claim

If the victim dies from their ATV injuries, it could be possible for certain family members, including their spouse, to file a wrongful death claim. Your wrongful death attorney can discuss the types of claims you can make based on your relationship with the victim. Common types of damages in wrongful death cases include the following:

• Medical bills
• Funeral expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of household income

The Time It Takes to Settle an ATV Crash Claim

Even the best recreational vehicle accident lawyer cannot predict exactly how long it will take to recover maximum compensation through an ATV accident case. All ATV accident cases are unique and may take a different amount of time to settle. Some cases resolve in six months, while others take more than a year to settle.

There are some factors that can influence how long it will take to settle, including the status of your legal representation, the severity of your injuries, and the possibility of your case going to trial. In general, cases that go to court take longer than those that settle before court.

The Cost of Hiring an ATV Accident Attorney

To hire the Illinois ATV accident lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, you do not have to pay for anything up front. Our team of personal injury lawyers works on a contingency fee basis.

Instead of charging you a flat rate or hourly fee, we take a small percentage of the compensation we help you recover. If we aren’t able to help you get the compensation that you deserve, you do not have to pay for our help.

Consult a Chicago ATV Accident Lawyer Near You!

If you were involved in an ATV accident due to someone else’s negligence and want to pursue compensation for your severe injuries, contact the experienced attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation. 

We have helped recover millions for our clients. We provide legal representation on a contingency basis, so you do not need to pay for our services upfront. 

Fill out our contact form or call our personal injury law firm toll-free at (888) 424-5757. A member of our team is available 24 hours a day to help you. 

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.