ATV Accident Lawyers

New Hampshire residents and visitors to the state enjoy riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) at various points in the year, and many families enjoy ATV trails together. For many teenagers in New Hampshire, ATV trails and spending time on an ATV represent a common past-time. To be sure, these motorized vehicles, which are designed for off-road use, can be fun and exciting, but they can also be extremely dangerous. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ATVs have many different hazards that can put riders at serious risk of a debilitating or fatal injury. Annually, hundreds of riders are killed in ATV accidents, and tens of thousands suffer serious injuries that require medical treatment. If you were injured in an ATV accident, or if your child sustained serious injuries, it is critical to speak with one of our New Hampshire ATV injury case attorneys to determine your eligibility for filing a claim. 

What Should You Know About New Hampshire ATV Injury Cases?

What do you need to know about ATV accidents and injury risks? The CPSC reports that there are more than 700 deaths annually in ATV accidents and about 100,000 injuries on average. Of those accidents and injuries, a disproportionate number involve young riders under the age of 16. It is critical for parents and caregivers to know that ATVs can be especially dangerous for young riders, and it is critical for young riders to use a vehicle that is designed for their specific size. To be sure, as the ATV Safety Institute underscores, ATVs are not one-size-fits-all vehicles, and they must be tailored to the rider.

Common Types of Injuries in ATV Accident Cases in Vermont

New Hampshire ATV accidents can result in many different kinds of injuries. Our firm regularly represents clients in a wide range of ATV accident cases, including those involving the following types of injuries:

  • Brain injuries;
  • Broken bones;
  • Spinal cord injuries;
  • Lacerations;
  • Traumatic amputations;
  • Internal bleeding; and
  • Organ damage.

Preventing ATV Injuries in New Hampshire

What can you do to prevent an ATV accident and subsequent ATV injuries? The CPSC recommends taking the following safety steps:

  • Go through a safety training course, such as one offered by the ATV Safety Institute;
  • Only ride with passengers if your ATV is equipped for passengers, and never overload the ATV;
  • Do not ride an ATV on public or paved roads;
  • Never drink alcohol before riding an ATV;
  • Always wear a DOT approved helmet; 
  • Use protective gear; and
  • Only ride an ATV model that is appropriate for your size and skill level.

Compensation and Comparative Fault in New Hampshire ATV Cases

Can you still file an ATV lawsuit if you are partially at fault for the accident? When a plaintiff’s negligence played a role in causing the ATV accident, that plaintiff can still obtain compensation under many different circumstances. To be clear, you should still talk with an ATV injury lawyer in New Hampshire about filing a claim even if you believe you may have been partially at fault.

How does this work? Under New Hampshire’s comparative fault law, a plaintiff in an ATV accident or another type of personal injury lawsuit can still recover damages as long as they are less than 51 percent at fault. In other words, as long as you are 50 percent or less at fault, you can still recover damages according to the “modified comparative fault” system that New Hampshire uses. However, your damages award will be reduced by your portion of negligence. Once an ATV accident plaintiff is found to be 51 percent or more at fault, then they are barred from recovery.

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations for ATV Accident Cases

How much time do you have to file a New Hampshire ATV accident lawsuit? Under New Hampshire law, most ATV accident lawsuits must be filed within three years from the date of the ATV accident. To be clear, ATV injury claims and other types of personal injury lawsuits in New Hampshire have a three-year statute of limitations in most cases, and the clock on the claim will begin to tick on the date of the ATV accident. If you do not file your ATV injury claim within that three-year time window, you will be barred from recovering damages in a civil lawsuit. 

Contact a New Hampshire ATV Accident Lawyer Today

Were you injured in an ATV accident in New Hampshire? Was your teenager injured in an ATV accident? It is important to begin working with a New Hampshire ATV accident attorney as soon as you can to determine liability for the accident and to find out more about options that may be available to you for seeking financial compensation. Contact Sabbeth Law today for more information about filing an ATV accident lawsuit in New Hampshire.