Denver, CO ATV Accident Attorneys Fighting for Fair Compensation for Clients
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), also known as quad bikes, are used for transportation and sport by many people. With the ability to handle off-road conditions, carry multiple people, and reach top speeds of up to 60 MPH on some models, they are used by people who hunt, fish, or just want to get off the beaten path. However, ATVs can pose serious dangers, and ATV accidents lead to the hospitalization of thousands of riders each year. Because these vehicles lack most of the safety features found on cars, accidents can cause very serious injuries to victims that require long recovery times and result in hefty medical bills. Would you like me to continue with more information about ATV accidents, common types of injuries, or the legal claim process?
An ATV accident can potentially change your life in a moment. It can be difficult to navigate the insurance rules and personal injury laws that govern the recovery of damages for your losses, especially when you are fighting to regain your health. If you have suffered injuries in an ATV accident that was not your fault, a personal injury attorney at Genco Injury Attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and get the fair compensation you deserve. Contact our personal injury law firm for a free case review today to learn more about your options: 303-500-1376.
What are the Common Causes of ATV Injuries?
While ATV accidents can sometimes be caused by operator error, especially in the case of young or inexperienced riders, there are many other potential reasons for an accident and subsequent injuries. These can include:
- Design or manufacturing defects
- Maintenance or repair errors
- Mechanical failure
- Damaged or poorly maintained trails
- Irresponsible or negligent operation of other vehicles by drivers
- Dangerous terrain, including dangerous areas of water or ice
- Improper seating in vehicles, such as carrying more passengers than the ATV can support
- Safety equipment failure
- Lack of training or supervision for other drivers
- Intoxication or impairment of drivers
What Damage Can an ATV Accident Cause?
Even when wearing the appropriate safety gear, including gloves, padded clothing, protective eyewear, boots, and helmets, an ATV accident victim can experience catastrophic injuries. Some larger styles of ATVs incorporate some safety features, such as seat belts and roll cages, but many leave riders exposed to the elements and vulnerable to harm in an accident. This is true whether the injuries occur in a single-vehicle accident or if they involve other ATVs. Some of the injuries victims may experience in an ATV accident may include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck and spinal injuries, possibly resulting in paralysis
- Broken bones
- Bruises and lacerations
- Crush injuries
- Asphyxiation injuries, including injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning
- Severed limbs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Permanent physical scars
- PTSD, anxiety, depression and mental changes
[Continued…] If an ATV goes through the ice into a lake or other body of water, riders can face frostbite, hypothermia, and drowning. If the damage caused by the ATV accident is too significant, it can result in death.
How is Liability Determined in an ATV Accident?
Because there are many individuals or entities that could be at fault in an ATV accident case, a thorough investigation is required to discover who may be liable. Even if you are found to be partially at fault for an accident, you may still be eligible for partial compensation under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence laws. If the ATV accident was caused by mechanical failure or defective product design, you could file a product liability case against the manufacturer. If poorly maintained trails caused or contributed to your accident, the government or local entities responsible for repairing the trails could be liable. If you were a passenger or your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, then you can file a personal injury claim against them and their insurance to seek compensation. Liability is quite complex in cases involving recreational vehicles, and it is recommended to enlist the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can examine the case and determine who may be at fault.
What Damages Can Be Recovered?
ATV injury victims may face an uphill battle as they try to regain the abilities they had before their accident. Recovering from their serious injuries may require months of painful rehabilitation and numerous doctor visits. Some victims will never fully recover. Others may carry visible scars and disfigurement or suffer from invisible damages such as PTSD, nightmares, or other mental issues. While the damages actually recoverable are determined by the circumstances of the accident and injuries, some of the common categories of compensation include:
- Actual compensatory damages: These are tangible financial losses that occurred as a result of your injury. This could include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, loss of future earnings, and other expenses.
- General compensatory damages: These are non-monetary losses caused by the accident. This category includes compensation for future medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of a loved one, and other damages.
- Punitive damages: This may be awarded in addition to other damages. This compensation is intended to deter other individuals from committing the same reckless or reckless act that caused the injury. Punitive damages may also be assessed if the defendant was found to be intentionally malicious in his or her actions.
Why Hire a Denver ATV Accident Lawyer?
Due to their off-road nature, accidents involving ATVs can present challenges when trying to prove liability for the accident. There are often no cameras nearby to document the accident, and witnesses may not have seen exactly what occurred. Sometimes there are no witnesses at all in single-vehicle accidents. This is why it is critical to hire a skilled Denver ATV accident attorney from the law firm of Genco Injury Attorneys. We will go the extra mile to investigate all potentially responsible entities in your accident and enlist the help of ATV experts when necessary to determine the causes of your accident. At Genco Injury Attorneys, we care about the well-being of our clients, and we will make sure you are connected to the Colorado ATV accident resources you need so you can continue on your path to healing. Call us today at 303-500-1376 for a free consultation to learn how we can help you get the fair compensation you deserve.