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ATV Accident

Chicago ATV Accident Lawyer

All-terrain vehicles, better known as ATVs, are known to cause devastating injuries in the event of an ATV crash. In some cases, the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Whether the ATV accident took place on private property or involved a manufacturing defect, it might be possible to hold the property owner, business, or at-fault party responsible.

The Chicago ATV accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have helped clients recover millions after facing serious injuries, and we can help you receive compensation for the medical costs and other losses associated with your accident.

How Common Are ATV Accidents?

Some notable ATV accident statistics include the following:

  • According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, off-road vehicles cause 700 deaths and 100,000 emergency room visits annually [1].
  • ATVs are responsible for 96% of injuries caused by off-road vehicles [2].
  • Even though ATV riders are not supposed to be driving on highways, hundreds of ATV riders die each year on highways [3].
  • Approximately 62% of ATV accident deaths occur in single-vehicle accidents [4].
  • Of all ATV deaths, 65% take place on roads [5].
  • Out of all injuries and deaths of an ATV rider younger than 16, 90% of them involve an adult-sized vehicle [6].
Chicago ATV Accident Lawyer

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 Lawyers Can Help

Jonathan Rosenfeld

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 consultation 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 attorney 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 amount of time that you have to file a claim for serious injuries under the law. This varies from state to state, but you will not be able to file a lawsuit against the ATV owner, ATV driver, or other liable parties if you wait until this time passes to file.

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability is two years from the date of injury.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works with clients with severe injuries across the United States. During your free consultation with a personal injury lawyer from our firm, you can discuss how the statute of limitations applies to your specific case. Most states have statutes of limitations that range from one to four years.

Your personal injury attorney will help to determine who is liable for your ATV accident injuries. There could even be multiple parties responsible. Some possibly liable parties for your serious injury include the following:

  • The owner of the ATV
  • The driver of the ATV
  • Drivers of other vehicles
  • The ATV manufacturer

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 costs 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 do not need to have additional insurance for bodily injury or personal injury protection for their vehicles. However, some states do require an ATV rider under the age of 16 to be supervised by a responsible adult.

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.

Our law firm has successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We have worked on smaller and larger cases, ranging from $500 million to $18.5 million in settlements.

Factors Affecting ATV Accident Settlements

There are different factors that can heavily influence the settlement amounts in ATV accidents.

Costs of Losses

One of the most significant factors in how much you could recover in an ATV injury lawsuit is the cost of the losses. Cases that have higher medical expenses and other tangible losses, such as property damage, are likely to have more substantial payouts than cases with fewer monetary losses.

The Extent of Injuries

ATV accident injuries are known for being very serious. However, even in an accident involving an all-terrain vehicle, there is a range of severity in terms of ATV injuries. More catastrophic or life-altering injuries tend to recover more compensation than more recoverable injuries.

Insurance Coverage Availability

An insurance company has more assets available to pay in legal proceedings than an individual does. If your case involves an insurance carrier, even if it is your own insurance company, it is more likely to generate a more substantial settlement than if the case only involved individuals.

Evidence and Witnesses

The stronger your case is, the better in terms of settlement size. The more evidence and witnesses you have, the stronger your case. This can make insurance companies offer a higher initial settlement as opposed to going to court.

Comparative Fault

An ATV user willingly accepts that there is some risk involved in riding off-road vehicles, such as ATVs, utility task vehicles, dirt bikes, and dune buggies. In some cases, riding an ATV or making a mistake can lead the rider to be held partially at fault for their own injuries.

Under comparative fault laws, you still deserve compensation for the portion of the medical bills and lost wages that the at-fault party is responsible for.

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 bills, 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 Personal Injury 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.

Contact an ATV Accident Lawyer Today!

Jonathan Rosenfeld, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are involved in an ATV accident and want to pursue compensation for your severe injuries, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation. Our experienced attorneys have helped recover millions for our clients. We work on a contingency basis, so you do not need to pay for our services upfront.

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

Resources: [1] CPSC, [2] CPSC, [3] IIHS, [4] IIHS, [5] Consumer Federation of America, [6] UPI,

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.

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