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Oklahoma City All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Lawyers
Fighting for injured ATV, ROV, and UTV accident victims of all ages in Oklahoma
ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles), UTV (Utility Vehicles, also known as “side-by-sides”), and ROVs (Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles) are built to be used away from the main roads. Today, most ATVs are four-wheel vehicles and not three-wheels. Many drivers, young and old alike, treat ATVs like toys when the reality is that they can easily cause death and serious injuries because they are difficult to control and can easily roll over. Drivers often are not properly trained in how to drive an ATV and often take unnecessary risks.
At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City attorneys are experienced ATV accident attorneys. We are strong advocates for injury victims and families. Our lawyers put our 105 years of combined experience to work for our clients, creating options that work for them, and upholding and protecting their rights in a court of law when necessary. We file claims against the manufacturers of defective ATVs, drivers who injure passengers and bystanders, and any other responsible parties.
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How can we help?
- How dangerous are ATVs?
- What are the leading causes of ATV crashes and accidents in Oklahoma City?
- What types of ATV accident claims do you handle?
- What types of injuries do ATV accident victims suffer?
- How much is my Oklahoma City AVT accident claim worth?
- Popular areas for riding ATVs, UTVs, and ROVs
- Do you have an Oklahoma City ATV accident lawyer near me?
How dangerous are ATVs?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 45 percent of all ATV riders on public roads who die in accidents are 40 and older. In 2021, 293 people died in ATV accidents on public roads:
- 84 of the deaths involved people 50 and older.
- 48 involved people between 40 and 49.
- 49 involved teenagers.
- 68 percent of fatal ATV riders were single-vehicle accidents.
- 62 percent of fatal ATV crashes involved a rollover of the ATV.
- 75 percent of ATV riders killed on public roads in 2021 were riding on rural roads – and most of those rural roads were minor roads.
Only eight percent of the riders who died were wearing helmets.
Many more deaths involve ATV and ROV riders on private terrain.
What are the leading causes of ATV crashes and accidents in Oklahoma City?
Rider negligence is one of the leading causes of ATV-related crashes, but it’s not the only cause. Finntrail reports that ATVs are more likely to flip and roll over than other ROVs. Finntrail also recommends checking the wheel alignment, the tank, the fluids, the frame, and the bolts before each ride.
Additional causes of Oklahoma City ATV accidents include:
- Letting a child operate an ATV who does not have the proper training
- Riding at unsafe speeds
- Riding recklessly
- Rider inexperience
- Driving when the weather is bad
- Driving on trials that are too steep or too muddy
- Riding on unfamiliar terrain
- Driving on trails the riders should reasonably know are unsafe
- Driving the ATV while intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted
ATV, UTV, ROV operators and parents must obey the following Oklahoma laws:
- Operators and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. If children fail to follow this law, parents and owners of the ATV may be held responsible if the ATV was driven on public property.
- ATVs cannot be ridden on public highways.
- ATVs can be ridden on public streets if:
- The street is located within an Oklahoma park.
- The street is approved by a municipality or county for ATV operation.
- The street is in certain unincorporated areas.
- Operators can cross highways under certain specific conditions.
- An ATV should not carry a passenger unless the manufacturer specifically designed the ATV to carry passengers.
- Riders should ride age and size-appropriate ATVs.
What types of ATV accident claims do you handle?
In all ATV accident cases, our Oklahoma City ATV accident lawyers work with the police and investigators to determine how the accident occurred. In most ATV crash cases, we file one or more of the following types of claims:
- Personal injury claims. Any driver who fails to follow the ATV laws, the Oklahoma traffic laws, or just reasonable common safe practices should be held liable for the injuries he/she causes. If parents fail to monitor their child’s use of the ATV, they could be held legally responsible. The owners of the ATV are accountable if they permit someone else to use their ATV and that person causes an accident.
- Product liability. If the ATV manufacturer fails to properly design or make the ATV, the manufacturer can be held liable for injuries or death – regardless of fault. They can also be held liable if their operating instructions were improper. We file claims against distributors and retailers in addition to the manufacturers.
- Wrongful death. If the ATV operator kills a loved one, we file claims against all wrongdoers. In wrongful death cases in Oklahoma City, the relatives (normally, a spouse, children, or parents) are entitled to compensation from any wrongdoers including negligent drivers and the manufacturers of defective ATVs.
How much is my Oklahoma City AVT accident claim worth?
Personal injury and product liability compensation includes the victim’s:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
Wrongful death compensation includes these damages, as well as damages for the family’s:
- Funeral expenses
- Grief and suffering because a loved one died
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of personal guidance the deceased would have given the family members
In Oklahoma, some workers use ATVs for farming and other jobs. We can help you file for workers’ compensation if you were injured during the course of your job duties.
What types of injuries do ATV accident victims suffer?
Common ATV injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic amputations and loss of limbs
- Broken bones/fractures
- Crush injuries
- Road rash
- Shoulder, neck, and back injuries
- Muscle, ligament, nerve, and tissue damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
Our Oklahoma City injury lawyers work with your doctors to explain what injuries you have, review what treatments you’ve had and will need (for the rest of your life), and every way your injuries are making your life harder to function, work, and enjoy.
Popular areas for riding ATVs, UTVs, and ROVs
A few popular ATV riding areas in Oklahoma include:
- Beaver Dunes State Park
- Big Fox Run Offroad Park
- Camp Gruber ORV Area
- Choctaw Nation Trail
- Cross Bar Ranch
- Henryetta ATV Park
Do you have an Oklahoma City ATV accident lawyer near me?
Cunningham & Mears represents children, parents, and adults when an ATV accident occurs at our two Oklahoma City offices. Our first office is located at 5104 N Francis Ave., Suite 102, Oklahoma City – just a few minutes’ drive from Penn Square Mall. There is plenty of car parking nearby. Our second office is located at 9428 West gate, Suite 102B, in the Brookhaven West part of Oklahoma City. We’re close to Resurrection Cemetery and off the Northwest Expressway. You can also reach us by public transportation. We meet ill and immobile clients at hospitals, their homes, and through video conference appointments.
We’re respected by former clients, insurance companies, and defense lawyers for our strong record of settlements and verdicts.
Make the call to our Oklahoma City ATV lawyers today
At Cunningham & Mears, we hold ATV owners, parents, and drivers responsible when a joy ride turns deadly or causes serious or permanent physical injury. ATV drivers are required to drive safely and protect others around them even though they are operating their ATVs away from the main roads. ATV manufacturers must build quality non-defective products. To understand your rights and to speak with an approachable lawyer, please call us or contact us to schedule an appointment.
