Off-Road Accidents & Injuries | Personal Injury | Gordon & Partners

Off-Road Accident Attorney

Two soldiers in camouflage riding an ATV in barren corn fields.

There are many different types of off-road vehicles ranging from 4x4s and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to dirt bikes and beyond. Our sunny South Florida climate makes off-roading accidents more prominent due to the fact people can participate in the activity all year long. These off-road vehicles can be used for an array of reasons; they can be used for fun and also as rescue vehicles. Unfortunately, operating automotive vehicles outside of a road surface has many serious risks and can lead to serious off-roading accidents.

Typically kids under the age of 16 are at most risk for these accidents, specifically those involving ATVs, due to their lack of driving experience. In most states, including Florida, they do not require these individuals to obtain a license or any sort of training to operate ATV’s. Also, many of the modern days ATV’s can weigh up to 750 pounds and travel up to 75 miles per hour. The ATV recommended age to size chart demonstrates at what age an individual should be operating which vehicle.

The age to size chart is as follows:

  • 6 to 11 should drive 50 to 70cc ATV’s
  • 12 to 16 should drive 70 to 90cc ATV’s
  • >16 can drive 90cc ATV’s and above

If you or someone you love has been injured in an off-road accident due to the negligence of another individual, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact an experienced West Palm Beach injury lawyer today to discuss your legal options.

For more information, complete the “Free Case Evaluation” on this page – It’s 100% FREE.

Causes of Off-Roading Accidents

In 2010, there were 317 deaths and 115,000 injuries in the United States related to off-roading. A large amount of these accidents are contributed to the inexperience of drivers or are drug and alcohol related. Statistics show that an inexperienced individual operating an ATV is 13 times more likely to be involved in an accident during their first few months of riding, while drugs and alcohol contribute to 30 percent of all ATV accidents.

Some common causes of ATV collisions include:

  • Inexperienced driver
  • Defective product
  • Speeding
  • Weather and terrain
  • Under the influence of drugs and alcohol
  • Riding with a passenger
  • Reckless driving
  • Kids operating adult-sized ATVs

All-terrain vehicle accidents attribute to dozens of injuries and deaths each year, due to the riders exposure and lack of protection. Many of the previous causes listed lead to rollover accidents which creates an extremely dangerous situation to any ATV rider. These rollovers also contributed to the ban of the three-wheeler production in 1987. If you have been injured in an ATV accident due to the negligence of another individual, you may have grounds for legal action.

To learn more, fill out and submit the “Free Case Evaluation” form on this page – It’s FREE.

Types of Injuries

As we may already know, an individual operating an ATV increases their chance for injury as soon as they begin riding. This is largely due to the fact that the ATV rider is exposed with little protection to dangers of the outside environment. Thus, it is common for an injury to occur when an individual is struck by an immobile object.

Some common injuries include:

  • Back and neck injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Wrist injuries

It is common following an accident that the victim and their family are left worrying about how they are going to pay for medical expenses, loss of wages, and property damages. Our experienced lawyers are here to take these worries away and work to obtain maximum compensation for your losses, allowing the victims to recover from their injuries.

Contact our attorneys today by completing the “Free Case Evaluation” on this page – It’s FREE.

ATV Accident Prevention

Most off-roading accidents may be easily preventable if we follow the laws set in place by the Florida government. These laws are intended to allow us to have fun while operating ATV’s without becoming injured. Some of the guidelines Florida ATV drivers must follow include:

Safety Equipment

If an ATV rider is under the age of 16, they must wear an approved helmet by the Department of Transportation and appropriate eye protection. If a rider is over the age of 16, they may ride without a helmet if they are not exceeding 30 miles per hour. Riders over the age of 21 can ride without wearing a helmet as long as they possess a minimum of $10,000 of active medical liability insurance.

License Plates

ATV’s that are registered to a rider under 21 years of age are required to possess a license plate that is unique in both color and design.

Restricted Areas

Florida laws prohibit ATV’s from traveling on public roadways, including highways and residential roads, unless a managing authority states differently.

Training

Although not required by law, taking an ATV safety training course can help to understand how an ATV will handle in different situations and teach individuals how to safely operate these vehicles.

Following these ATV safety tips will greatly reduce your chances of being injured or becoming involved in an off-road collision.

For additional information, fill out the “Free Case Evaluation” form on this page – It’s FREE.

Florida ATV Trails

Gordon & Partners understands that ATV owners are looking for fun and safe trails to ride their vehicles, so we have gathered a list of locations and phone numbers as a quick reference to Florida residence. Check the list below to find the closest trail to the location of your home.

CompanyCity LocationPrimary Contact Phone
Bartow Cycle Sports MX ParkBartow(863) 533-5302
Big Scrub Recreation AreaUmatilla(352) 669-3153
Bithlo Motorsports ParkBithlo(407) 455-4358
Bostwick Creek MXGreen Cove Springs(904) 284-5221
County Line Action Sports ParkFountain(850) 722-7616
Croom Motorcycle AreaBrooksville(352) 797-5759
Dade City MotocrossDade City(352) 588-4697
Dirty Foot AdventuresFort Meade(863) 245-3676
East Bay MotocrossRiverview(813) 446-5818
Forest Glen MotoplexOna(941) 799-7999
Gatorback Cycle ParkAlachua(407) 654-6431
Hard Labor Creek Off Road ParkChipley(850) 527-6063
Hardrock Cycle ParkOcala(352) 732-6697
Hog Waller Mud Bog and ATV ParkPalatka(386) 643-8042
L-Cross Extreme EventsOkeechobee(863) 763-0569
Mesa Park Motorsports ComplexFellsmere(772) 918-8016
Miami Motocross ParkHialeah(305) 362-5859
Moroso Motorsports ParkRiviera Beach(561) 622-1400
Motocross of Marion CountyOcala(352) 591-2377
MecklenburgCharlotte(704) 527-2562
Mud MuckersBunnell(386) 566-1456
Ocala OHV Trail SystemFort McCoy(352) 546-2151
Ocala OHV Trail SystemUmatilla(352) 669-3153
Ocala OHV Trail SystemSilver Springs(352) 625-2520
Pax Trax Motocross ParkDaytona Beach(386) 437-7191
PlexMXMadison(727) 753-9692
Redneck Yacht ClubPunta Gorda(941) 505-8465
Sunshine MotocrossClearwater(727) 481-8162
Tates Hell OHV Trail SystemCarrabelle(850) 697-3734
Thundercross Motosports ParkOkeechobee(863) 634-2742
Utopia Motocross ParkDefuniak Springs(850) 834-2067
Vortex SpringPonce De Leon(850) 836-4979
Waldo Motorsports ParkWaldo(352) 284-4230
Caldwell Wandering Wiregrass OHV TrainUmatilla(352) 669-3153
West Florida Motocross ParkMossy Head(850) 978-2805

Contact An Experienced Auto Accident Attorney

After an ATV accident, life can get hectic, and a skilled ATV accident lawyer can help you navigate through all of the legal issues you may be faced with. At our firm, we have a proud reputation of helping the injured – not the powerful – and provide a free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation for our clients.

With hundreds of favorable verdicts and settlements for our customers, we have been helping injured South Florida motorists for 25 years and are ready to help you today.

For more information on how we can help, contact Gordon & Partners at 1 (855) 722-2552 and a member of our intake team will collect the details about your accident and refer you to one of our experienced auto accident attorneys – it’s that easy!

Begin now by completing the “Free Case Evaluation” form on this page – It’s 100% FREE.

Gordon & Partners - For The Injured®

Gordon & Partners, P.A.

4114 Northlake Blvd
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: 1-561-333-3333

Gordon & Partners - Plantation

8201 Peters Road, Suite 4000
Plantation, Florida 33324
Phone: 1-754-333-3333

Gordon & Partners - Stuart

729 SW Federal Highway #212
Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: 1-772-333-3333