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ATVs, or all-terrain vehicles, are often used by adults and teenagers for work and recreation. However, ATVs can be very dangerous. In fact, according to recently-released United States Consumer Product Safety Commission statistics on ATVs, hundreds of people have lost their lives in ATV accidents in Florida and many more have sustained serious injuries.

Given the number of sandy beaches, dirt bike paths and locations for people to conduct their "off-roading" activities, it is clear why the state of Florida is a haven for those who enjoy riding their ATVs off the beaten trail. Normal traffic laws and road rules do not apply in such places; however, your Fort Myers personal injury lawyer Randall Spivey warns ATV riders that they are still required to act responsibly when operating their ATVs.

What You Might Not Know About ATVs in Florida

In Florida, individuals who operate ATVs are not subject to the same stringent legal requirements that are generally placed on automobile and truck drivers. For example, the state does not require a driver's license or a test in order for a person to operate an ATV. Additionally, adults are not required to wear helmets when riding; however, children under 16 years of age must wear helmets. Many ATV drivers and passenger fail to think of themselves as drivers and passengers of an actual motor vehicle, and such thinking can have deadly results.

Florida law prohibits ATVs on paved roadways; however, many drivers violate that particular law all the time. Many people may not realize that ATVs can actually reach speeds up to 55 miles per hour. That, in combination with the fact that many all-terrain vehicles weigh up to 500 pounds, can lead to substantial injuries if an accident occurs.

The Types of Injuries That an ATV Rider Might Suffer

Some ATV accidents occur due to unseen obstacles on the path on which the rider is riding, while others might be caused by poor design. Whatever the reason might be, the injuries that can be incurred if a person is involved in an accident can be life altering.

Depending on the nature of the accident, ATV riders can suffer anything from nerve damage to permanent paralysis. As a matter of fact, head and neck injuries are quite common for ATV accident victims to experience. Traumatic brain injury can happen whenever the ATV rider sustains a blow of some sort to the head during a rollover or collision.

What Should You do if You've Been Involved in an ATV Accident?

The most important thing for an ATV accident victim to do is seek medical attention right away in order to minimize the possibility of future medical complications. Once the victim's medical needs have been tended to, accident victims should gather as much information about the accident as possible, to include contact information for all people involved in the accident and the witnesses, if any.

ATV accident victims are encouraged to speak with a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer at The Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., as soon as possible. Time is of the essence when dealing with personal injury claims and a skilled attorney can help ensure that you meet all deadlines and fight for the just compensation you deserve.