As School Lets Out, Texas ATV Accidents Are Expected To Rise

In February, Magnolia teen Kacey Davis decided to take a break from her algebra homework and take a ride on her ATV. She was wearing a helmet, wearing her seat belt, and going a safe speed, but she hit an obstacle in the road and her all-terrain vehicle rolled over on her. She lost a finger and crushed her foot – keeping her from attending school, participating in sports, and, for the time being, walking at all.
Davis’ story is all too familiar to doctors, who are seeing increasing numbers of ATV accident cases across Texas, especially among children and teens. They also know all too well that the number of child ATV accidents will rise significantly in the summer months when kids are out of school and outdoors.
Here are just a few statistics about Texas ATV accidents:

• While children only make up 15 percent of ATV users in Texas, they make up 33 percent of the accident victims.
• Of all fatal ATV accidents, 80 percent of accident victims were not wearing a helmet.
• Across the United States, 150,000 ATV accidents take place every year – and the number has risen steadily as ATV riding grows in popularity.
• Texas has the fourth-highest number of serious ATV accidents and ATV injuries in the country.

What can parents do to protect their child from a serious ATV accident and injury?

• Don’t let children younger than 12 years old drive an ATV.
• Always make sure that your child wears a helmet while on an ATV, either as a driver or a passenger.
• Make sure that your child wears a seat belt when available.
• Supervise your children riding ATVs when possible, and explain to your children the dangers of speeding or driving recklessly.

Has your child been injured in an ATV accident? Was the accident and injury due to another person’s neglect or the carelessness of an entity, such as the ATV manufacturer? Speak to a Texas ATV accident and injury attorney today about your case.