People can operate recreational vehicles in plenty of places in Minot, North Dakota. The city allows registered all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), and four-wheelers on designated trails, private lands, and most roads.
But these vehicles pose a significant risk. Each year, recreational vehicles cause more than 700 deaths and an estimated 100,000 injuries requiring treatment in emergency departments.
Our Minot UTV/ATV accident lawyers can seek compensation for your injuries. If an ATV, UTV, or four-wheeler accident injured you or a loved one in Minot, call Nicolet Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
Injured in Minot? Get Nicolet.
Types of Recreational Vehicles
ATV and UTV are two of the more common names for these recreational vehicles. Other names include:
- Recreational utility vehicle (RUV)
- Multi-use vehicle (MUV)
- Off-highway vehicle (OHV)
- Side-by-side vehicle (SxS)
- Side x side
- Recreational side-by-side
- Utility side-by-side
- Utility vehicle
- Quads/four-wheeler
- Off-road utility vehicle
Some common recreational vehicle manufacturers include:
- Honda
- Polaris
- Yamaha
- Can-Am
- DRR
- Kymco
- KTM
- Kawasaki
- Linhai
- Arctic Cat
- Suzuki
- CFMoto
- AlphaSports
- Bombardier
Common Causes of UTV/ATV Accidents in Minot
Operating an ATV or UTV requires experience. Dangerous accidents can occur when less experienced drivers operate them or drive at high speeds or on rough terrain. But accidents still happen when drivers operate them responsibly.
Other common causes of ATV and UTV accidents include:
- Rollover accidents
- Lack of maintenance
- Carrying a passenger on a single-rider ATV or UTV
- Carrying more passengers than allowed
- Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving recklessly
- Vehicle defects
When an ATV or UTV accident occurs, our Minot UTV/ATV accident lawyers know how to hold the at-fault party liable for any injuries to the driver or passengers.
Potentially liable parties include:
- ATV driver
- Driver’s parents, if the driver was a minor
- The owner of the off-road vehicle
- Manufacturer of defective parts or equipment
- Property owner where the crash occurred
- Drivers and owners of other vehicles involved in the accident.
Our experienced accident attorneys can review your ATV accident to determine who we can hold at fault for your injuries, including the manufacturer of a defective product.
UTV/ATV Recalls Due to Manufacturing or Design Defects
UTV and ATV manufacturers should recall vehicles that present a higher-than-usual safety risk or fail to meet minimum safety standards. They learn about these issues through their own safety studies and tests or after receiving multiple reports from different owners about a problem with a particular model.
After issuing a recall, the manufacturer must fix the problem through a repair or a replacement. In some cases, manufacturers offer customers a full refund for the cost of their vehicle.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), manufacturers issued at least 214 recreational and utility vehicle recalls since 2011. Many of these ATV recalls were due to design or manufacturing defects that put vehicle riders at risk of fire or crashes. These defects often involved the steering mechanisms, brakes, throttles, suspension systems, and tires, to name a few.
In some cases, manufacturers are slow to issue recalls despite the outcome of their own safety studies or consumer complaints, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) gets involved.
Manufacturers of ATVs and UTVs, and makers of vehicle accessories, must warn consumers about any product hazards. If a manufacturer knew of a defect but failed to warn consumers, and that defect injured or killed someone, the injured person or their loved ones may file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the defective product.
You can report vehicle safety issues or check if a recall was issued for your vehicle through the NHTSA website. Stop operating a recalled recreational vehicle until you take it to the dealer for servicing.
Common UTV/ATV Injuries
When recreational vehicles wreck, they can cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Concussions
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Amputations
- Death
ATV-related injuries can require medications, surgeries, physical therapy, and other medical treatments. These expenses can add up. If you suffered injuries from an ATV accident, our Minot UTV/ATV accident lawyers can recover compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Recreational Vehicle Accident Injuries?
The financial compensation you can receive depends on the damages you suffered.
You may recover compensation for your:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Future earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
A qualified accident attorney can review the details of your accident to determine a true value for your ATV/UTV accident claim.
Do I have an ATV/UTV Accident Claim?
To receive compensation for your recreational vehicle accident-related injuries, you must prove that the negligence of another party caused the accident. Even if you are partly to blame, you may still recover compensation. However, your percentage of fault will reduce the amount of compensation you can recover. If the court finds you at least 50 percent to blame for your injuries, you may not recover compensation.
How Our Minot UTV/ATV Accident Lawyers Can Help You
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Minot ATV, UTV, or four-wheeler accident, our experienced accident lawyers seek the compensation you need and deserve. Reach out to a Minot personal injury lawyer.
The legal team at Nicolet Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers has successfully protected the rights of people who were injured in ATV accidents. We are passionate in our pursuit of maximum compensation for our clients. Contact us today at 1-855-NICOLET for your free consultation.