ATV Riding Safety Tips

Posted on January 19, 2023 in Personal Injury

A South Carolina family is mourning the loss of their 12-year-old boy, who died from multiple traumatic injuries caused by a recent ATV accident in Anderson County. According to local news reports, the boy was a passenger on an ATV that drove through an intersection on Old Lowndesville Highway and hit a pickup truck, injuring three other ATV passengers.

If you own or operate an ATV in South Carolina, it’s crucial to know how to stay safe. This article explores ATV injury statistics, safety tips, and laws in South Carolina that you should know before hitting the throttle.

ATV Injury Statistics in SC

Tragic accidents involving ATVs in South Carolina are all too common. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control:

• An average of six children die from ATV-related injuries statewide each year.
• Over a 10-year period, 63 children died in ATV accidents in South Carolina, of which 40 percent were aged nine and under.
• An estimated 450 children are injured on ATVs statewide each year.

ATV Safety Tips

The ATV Safety Institute recommends that operators and passengers observe the following ATV riding safety tips:

• Always wear a helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, boots, and gloves when riding an ATV.
• Never ride on public roads. When crossing a public road, do so carefully and only when the law permits.
• Never ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Never carry more passengers than an ATV is designed to carry.
• Supervise ATV riders under age 16.
• Always ride at a safe speed.
• Take an ATV rider safety course before hitting the trail.

South Carolina ATV Laws: What Is Chandler’s Law?

South Carolina’s legislature passed Chandler’s Law in 2011 after a young boy died while riding an ATV at a friend’s house without the knowledge or permission of his parents.

Chandler’s Law states the following:

• The minimum age to operate an ATV is six.
• A person age 16 or younger must be accompanied by an adult when operating an ATV.
• A person under 16 who does not have a driver’s license cannot carry a passenger on an ATV.
• A person under 16 must:
• Possess a safety certificate from the ATV Safety Institute to operate an ATV.
• Wear a safety helmet and eye protection while operating or riding an ATV.

Proving Fault in an ATV Accident

Proving who is at fault for an ATV accident requires solid evidence of someone’s negligent or wrongful actions. While many ATV accidents are caused by operator error, multiple parties may be liable for injuries from an ATV crash, depending on the circumstances of the crash. For example, if an ATV accident occurs because of a defective ATV part or flawed design, the manufacturer of the vehicle or the defective part could be liable for the crash. An experienced attorney can investigate the ATV accident, gather helpful evidence, and determine who is responsible.

Get Help from Our ATV Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in an ATV accident, contact The Melonakos Law Firm today to speak with one of our attorneys during a free, confidential consultation.