1 Killed, 1 Injured In ATV Accident
ATVs are fun to use on rugged terrain. However, these three- and four-wheeled vehicles should not be operated on highways or paved roads. They can cause serious accidents for riders.
Sadly, this was recently the case in Florida. Two ATVs were involved in a crash in the Orlando area. One person was killed in the accident, which occurred on the morning of June 18.
Two ATVs were traveling on the northbound SR417 along the outside lanes on the highway, near Lake Underhill. A Nissan Rogue traveling in the same direction hit the two ATVs. The ATV riders were ejected. One rider died at the accident scene. Another suffered critical injuries and was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Witnesses said a third rider ran from the accident scene, but Florida Highway Patrol troopers could not locate anyone.
The driver of the Nissan was not injured. They remained at the accident scene.
Causes of ATV Accidents
ATV crashes occur in various ways, including:
- Reckless behavior. Speeding and drunk driving are top causes of ATV accidents. Slow down, drive safely, and only operate an ATV only when sober.
- Driving on pavement. ATVs are designed for off-road use. They are not meant to be driven on paved roads.
- Driving in unfamiliar areas. Many accidents occur when a rider operates an ATV in rural areas that they aren’t familiar with. The terrain could be more dangerous than expected, with potholes, inclines, rocks, and other dangerous road features.
- Lack of experience. A rider without adequate experience driving an ATV can easily get into an accident. While ATVs are not necessarily hard to ride, they do have different controls than a passenger vehicle. Children who ride ATVs should be supervised by an adult.
- Stunt riding. Performing stunts can be dangerous. Keep all wheels on the ground at all times and avoid speeding and jumping hills. Stunt riding can cause loss of control. The ATV can roll over and cause serious injuries.
- Carrying passengers. ATVs are not typically meant to have passengers. The extra weight can make the ATV harder to control. It could even cause a rollover. Only one rider should be on a vehicle.
- Not following traffic laws. Many riders operate ATVs near freeways and paved roads. ATVs are for off-road use only. Once they are near passenger vehicles, the risk of an accident increases, since they are not fast enough to keep up with traffic.
Contact Us Today
ATVs are fun to ride if you have proper protection and adequate experience riding them. Also, they need to be ridden in the right areas—certainly not on highways.
The Florida ATV accident attorneys at Meldon Law can help you explore your legal options after a crash. Get full and fair compensation for all your damages. To schedule a free consultation with our office, call (800) 373-8000 or fill out the online form. We have three offices to serve you: Gainesville, Ocala, and Fort Lauderdale.
Source:
wftv.com/news/local/fhp-deadly-atv-crash-along-sr417-closes-highway-hours-saturday-morning/OG6ATABVUJBUJOFCGI3J3XOJP4/
