Side-by-side ATVs can be found everywhere in Minnesota. They’re fast, rugged, and a favorite in many settings. Farmers use them in their fields, families take them on camping trips, and hunters ride them deep into the woods.
Despite their widespread enjoyment, the dangerous side of these vehicles doesn’t get enough attention. These machines can turn deadly in an instant, and injuries inflicted by these ATVs are some of the worst seen in off-road accidents.
Minnesota has seen a sharp rise in ATV-related deaths over the past few years, and a large number of those involve side-by-sides. Here’s what you need to know.
Built-in Safety Features Don’t Guarantee Protection
These vehicles may look safer than traditional four-wheelers, given their roll cages and seat belts—some even have windshields—but none of these features completely guarantee the safety of anyone inside.
The cage can collapse if a driver flips a side-by-side at high speed or crashes into a tree. Passengers can also be ejected if they don’t use their seat belts. Even with all their supposed safety features, these ATVs are still hazardous.
Reckless Driving Causes Many Accidents
Many drivers treat side-by-sides like toys instead of the thousand-pound machines they really are. They tend to take sharp turns too fast and push their limits on hills, ramps, and narrow trails.
Others choose to drive them on paved roads, which is not what they’re built for. When something goes wrong, it typically happens quickly, and the results can be catastrophic.
Young and Inexperienced Drivers Face Serious Risks
Age and experience also play a role in side-by-side ATV crashes. Minnesota law does allow teens to operate ATVs under certain conditions, but just because it’s legal to do so doesn’t mean it’s smart or safe.
Many young riders just aren’t ready for the responsibility. They might not understand how to handle a sharp turn at speed or what to do when the terrain changes. Many of them are passengers, too, and they don’t always know how to brace or keep themselves secure in a crash.
Alcohol and ATVs Don’t Mix
Alcohol plays a role in way too many vehicle crashes, and those involving side-by-sides are no exception. These vehicles are often part of weekend getaways or summer hangouts, where many people drink and let loose. But once alcohol enters the picture, reaction times slow down, and judgment goes out the window.
ATVs don’t leave much room for error; a single mistake can change someone’s life forever.
Mechanical Failures Can Have Deadly Consequences
ATVs can experience mechanical problems like a regular car or truck, from brakes giving out to steering columns locking up and tires popping under pressure.
These form the inherent risk of operating any type of vehicle. But when any occur with a side-by-side, the chance of serious injury skyrockets. Not all of these vehicles are properly maintained, especially when they’re shared among a group of people or rented out.
Minnesota Trails Add to the Danger
The state’s trails may be beautiful, but they’re also full of hazards. Loose gravel, steep inclines, and hidden stumps can all knock a side-by-side off balance. Even experienced drivers can’t always predict what the backwoods will throw at them. Sometimes, a driver just encounters bad luck on a bad trail.
Reach Out to Our Law Office for Help
ATV crashes rarely happen by chance. They’re often tied to risky behavior like driving too fast or under the influence, forgoing safety precautions, or handing the controls to someone lacking experience.
In some cases, the blame may fall on an owner or rental service that didn’t maintain the vehicle. And in others, it may involve poorly marked trails or hidden path hazards. If you’ve been injured in a side-by-side ATV accident in Minnesota, call our Minneapolis personal injury lawyers at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for help with your case.
Contact a Minneapolis Car Accident Lawyer from Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys For Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina.
We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and its surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.97514068188609, -93.27349979814521
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320
St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 45.55903612908877, -94.16420517306956
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.90963991439301, -93.34937342327198
