There are obvious dangers when anyone rides an All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV). Yet, riders are put in needless danger when the companies that make ATVs don't take all precautions to ensure their products are safe. For instance, in recent years, there’s been ATV manufacturers that have issued recalls on their ATV models. These flaws may compromise the ATV's stability and can even cause it to spontaneously catch fire, which could result in serious injury or worse.
These recalls may be to blame injuries sustained in some ATV accidents. Anyone injured by a defective product has the legal right to file a claim for damages with the manufacturer in a product liability lawsuit. If they are found liable and your claim is successful, you may be able to recoup losses, such as your medical bills, lost income from time off work, and other damages. It also holds manufacturers accountable if their products are the cause of injuries.
The attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney At Law, recognize that a serious injury can cause a lot of grief and frustration, especially when a manufacturer's negligence is to blame. Our product liability attorneys have experience in suing large companies over safety issues with their products.
We encourage you to contact us for a free consultation if you or a loved one have been injured in an ATV accident. Our legal team can help you learn more about your rights and alternatives.
Recalls Among ATV Models
One company that has issued a recall in recent years is Polaris, who issued a "Important Safety Recall" warning for the 2020-2021 Ranger 1000 and Ranger XP 1000 off-road vehicles, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The affected vehicles may return to the idle position more slowly than expected when the pedal is released, or the pedal may become stuck in the depressed position, according to the warning. This manufacturing flaw can increase the likelihood of a crash that could pose serious injury risks.
Other recalls are as follows:
- 2021 RZR Pro XP and 2021 RZR Pro XP 4 (3,100 Vehicles)
In these ATVs, the oil supply line sealing surface on the turbocharger castings has a raised edge, which can cause oil to leak. A fire caused by an oil spill can be devastating and even fatal.
- 2021 RZR XP Turbo and RZR Turbo S (30,250 Vehicles)
These ATVs have suffered clutch failure, which can lead to an accident and injuries to drivers and passengers, especially if debris or clutch components are discharged from the clutch housing.
- 2021 – 2022 RZR Pro XP 4 (3,500 Vehicles)
The fuel pump assembly joint on the fuel tank of these vehicles has the potential to leak fuel. Because of its proximity to a source of heat, the probable leak location poses an increased threat of fire and serious damage or death.
- 2020 – 2022 RZR XP 1000 and RZR Turbo S Velocity (38,900 Vehicles)
This ATV is susceptible to its steering wheels coming loose, which may result in a driver losing control of the vehicle. Extremely serious harm or death could result from a collision caused by this.
- 2022 RZR Pro R 4 Premium and 2022 RZR Pro R 4 Ultimate (1,285 Vehicles)
When driving, the battery cable may come into contact with the vehicle's propeller shaft because it is improperly routed. There is a risk of fire and serious harm if the battery cable comes into prolonged contact with the prop shaft.
Polaris has recalled a number of ATVs and asked that customers who have already purchased them refrain from using them until repairs have been made.
Potential Injuries From an ATV Rollover Accident
One of the most serious dangers of riding an ATV is the possibility of a rollover, which can happen for a variety of reasons. Contrarily, the likelihood of an ATV flipping over is significantly increased in vehicles that have a manufacturing problem.
Riders are sometimes ejected from their ATVs when they roll over, or in any kind of ATV accident in general. While this is dangerous in and of itself, the true danger lies in the possibility of getting trapped beneath the car as it flips over.
Typical injuries sustained in an ATV collision are:
- Head injuries or brain trauma
- Bone fractures
- Cuts and/or bruises
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Back, spine or neck injuries
Suing an ATV Manufacturer For Product Liability
Polaris was sued after a Ranger 1000 accident in 2021. The ATV was sold to a business that provides recreational vehicle rentals. It was rented o a customer who was injured and filed the lawsuit. The rider removed his foot from the throttle pedal and the ATV did not respond as expected. It toppled over onto its left side because it did not slow down and the rider suffered severe and permanent injuries because the ATV fell on top of him and pinned him beneath it.
This is just one lawsuit among several that could be filed. However, the courts will evaluate each claim for product liability against Polaris on its own merits. Therefore, anyone thinking about filing a claim against Polaris or any other manufacturer should consult a qualified product liability or personal injury attorney first.
If You Suffered Injury While Riding an ATV, Our Attorneys Can Help You
Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is here to help if you or a loved one were hurt in an accident involving an ATV. Our law office takes pride in advocating on behalf of customers who have suffered injury, or families of a victim that has died as a result of faulty products.
Consult with an experienced product liability attorney by calling us to set an appointment today. We can discuss your accident and injuries in detail, address your concerns, and provide insight into the steps you might take to filing a personal injury or product liability claim.