Clark W. Mason Personal Injury Law Blog on Lawyers.com

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) require special safety precautions from drivers. There are several important differences between ATVs and most other types of vehicles which make them particularly susceptible serious accidents:

• ATVs operators are fully exposed to the outside and can be propelled off the vehicle during a rollover
• ATVs are often driven in rough terrain, where trails may not be completely cleared
• ATVs can reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour
• ATVs are heavy machines that can crush the limbs of operators
• ATVs sometimes have manufacturing defects that can cause them to flip over when turning

In addition to the inherent risks of ATVs, there is also the variable of human behavior. For various reasons, ATV drivers might engage in risky driving, which can include speeding, riding with passengers, racing, and venturing into forbidden areas.

ATV drivers can reduce the risk of serious accidents—which claim the lives of hundreds throughout the United States each year—by taking some simple safety measures, as also outlined by ATVsafety.gov:

• Take a safety training course: different states have different requirements about mandatory training in order to operate an ATV. The ATV Safety Institute provides training courses according to age. Some of the topics covered in the training courses include pre-ride inspection, starting and stopping, quick turns, hill riding, emergency stopping, and riding over obstacles. As with any potentially dangerous activity, experience and knowledge help reduce risks.
• Wear a helmet: considering that the operator is exposed, ATV accidents have a high potential for head injuries. State laws vary on helmet requirements.
• Do not ride with a passenger: ATVs have only one seat, which is solely intended for the driver. ATVs require shifting weight as a means for controlling and steering the vehicle. Riding with another passenger can cause an operator to lose control of the vehicle.
• Use appropriate vehicles for children: ATVs come in different sizes for adults, teenagers, and children. Unfortunately, children account for far too many ATV fatalities each year—more than 20 percent. In order to avoid tragic accidents, children should be prevented from riding adult ATVs

State laws on ATV safety are not uniform. Some states have a rather lenient approach, while others have responded to serious injuries and fatalities by enforcing stricter laws. Whatever the case in your state, ATV safety—like wearing a seatbelt—is largely a personal responsibility. Taking the proper precautions could save your life.