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ATV-Accidents Involving Kids Continue to Concern California Injury Lawyers

The subject of ATV accidents, especially involving the use of these by children, has been relegated in recent months. However, for the parents of those killed or injured in such accidents, as well as California car accident lawyers, it’s very important that that we continue educating the public on how dangerous these all-terrain vehicles are.

Last week, CBS Early Show ran a report that illustrated the dangers to kids from riding these vehicles. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in April alone, there were 40 deaths from ATV-related accidents. Out of these, 12 deaths involved children below the age of 16. In the month of May, 13 children died in ATV related accidents. The death toll is expected to rise as summer continues, and more and more numbers of children are allowed to ride these vehicles.

The Early Show investigation found that many dealers in the country continue to sell all-terrain vehicles, even when they know that the vehicle is not meant for a child below the age of 16. Manufacturers don’t recommend the use of adult sized ATVs for children below the age of 16. However, the investigation found that dealers were nonchalant about such recommendations, and were willing to sell ATVs even when they knew that it would be used by a child below 16.

It’s obvious to California injury lawyers that there needs to be more focus on getting dealers to comply with manufacturers’ recommendations about ATVs. There are still far too many parents out there who may not understand the dangers of letting their children ride adult-sized ATVs, and it’s therefore important that manufacturers and dealers work together to help parents make the right decision for their children.

According to ATV safety group Concerned Families for ATV Safety, approximately 100 children below the age of 16 die in ATV-related accidents every year. More than 40,000 people are injured in such accidents every year. Many of these accidents can be traced to children below the age of 16 driving adult-sized ATVs. However, the Early Show investigation found that some of the dealers they visited, advised the parents that their 14 of 15-year-old child would soon get bored of a child-sized ATV, and that they should buy an adult-sized ATV instead.

Whether the manufacturers are aware of such practices by their dealers is a moot point. However, there definitely should be greater cooperation and communication between dealers and manufacturers on the right use of these models. A child of 16 has very little chance of escaping catastrophic injury or death, if he is riding on an adult-sized ATV and it tips over, trapping him underneath. Crushing injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries and head injuries are common in children who are involved in adult ATV  accidents.

California accident lawyers would advise that parents only buy youth-sized ATVs for their children, and ensure that their children take an ATV safety riding course before they begin riding the vehicle.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of ATV accidents. Please visit our website at http://www.robertreeveslaw.com/. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us at contact@robertreeveslaw.com.

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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