With kids out of school, risk of ATV injuries increases

July 15th, 2008 Mike Evans

With warm weather and kids out of school for summer vacation, it’s not surprising that the number of children being injured on ATVs or UTVs seems to have increased. In the past 24 hours, there have been news articles published about a 14 year-old-boy who was injured in an ATV accident in Oklahoma, a 13-year-old boy who was injured in an ATV rollover accident in California, a 10-year-old girl who was killed in a Missouri ATV accident, and a 9-year-old boy who suffered extensive head injuries in an Indiana ATV accident.

This is a good time to review the recommendations of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for ATV safety at ATVSafety.gov. According to the CPSC, ATVs killed more than 500 people in 2006, and almost 1 in 5 was a child. In addition to the deaths, ATV accidents sent 146,600 people to hospital emergency rooms. With the growing popularity of side-by-side ATVs such as the Yamaha Rhino and Polaris Ranger RZR, parents may be tempted to give children rides on the family ATV. Parents should be aware, however, that children need to wear helmets and seat belts. Also, parents should no that some side-by-side ATVs, such as the Yamaha Rhino, can roll over on flat ground at relatively low speeds. And rolling over in an ATV is much more serious than flipping on a bicycle; side-by-side ATVs weigh around 1,000 pounds, and can crush bones, injure spinal cords, cause traumatic brain injuries, and cause death.

Some ATV accidents are caused by driver error. Other accidents are caused by design or manufacturing defects. If you or your family member suffered injuries in a Yamaha Rhino, Polaris or other ATV accident that was caused by a manufacturer’s defect, use our free ATV Lawsuit Review service to obtain a no-obligation review of your potential lawsuit.

Posted in ATV accidents, ATV safety information, Polaris, Rollover accidents, Yamaha Rhino ATV | No Comments »

Oklahoma - One Honda ATV crashes twice in same day

July 15th, 2008 Mike Evans

An Ada Oklahoma Evening News article reports that two people wrecked the same Honda 4-wheeler within a five-hour span on July 14, 2008. Just after 12:00 a.m., a 2004 Honda four-wheeler driven by 14-year-old Gavin Saunders, Sulphur, failed to make a curve in the road, ran off the road and through a fence. Saunders was admitted to the hospital in serious but stable condition with neck and external injuries.

Five hours later the same ATV was involved in an accident when Jeremy Courtney, age 23, was driving the same four-wheeler on the same county road and failed to make a curve in the roadway, ran off the road and overturned. Courtney was admitted to the hospital in fair condition with head and internal injuries.

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Kentucky led the nation in ATV deaths in 2007, says CPSC

July 4th, 2008 Mike Evans

A Kentucky.com article reports the Consumer Product Safety Commission says 2007 ATV deaths may exceed 800, and Kentucky had more deaths than any other state.

For ATV safety tips, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s ATVSafety.gov website.

This article is provided by the ATV Attorney Alliance. The ATV Attorney Alliance was created to provide top-quality legal representation to people who have been injured or lost family members in Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents, or in accidents involving other negligently designed or manufactured ATVs. The ATV Attorney Alliance includes lawyers licensed to practice law in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

If you or your family member suffered injuries in a Yamaha Rhino rollover, or in another defectively designed or manufactured ATV, you may obtain a free, no-obligation review of your potential lawsuit by filling out ATV Attorney Alliance’s Free Yamaha Rhino or Other ATV Lawsuit Review Form.

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It’s another long holiday weekend, be carefult with those ATVs

July 4th, 2008 Mike Evans

According to a Kentucky.com article, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said there were 13 deaths in ATV accidents on Memorial Day weekend. If you’re planning to use an ATV this weekend, or if you’re going to have anyone in your family using an ATV, check out the CPSC’s safety guidelines at ATVSafety.gov. According to the CPSC, last year’s total number of ATV deaths could be over 800.

The Kentucky.com article also points out that “ATV injuries are unique due to the severity of accidents that occur. Although more that half a million people get injured on a bicycle, ATV injuries tend to cause more damage to the head and spinal cord.”

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4-wheeler accident kills father and 2-year-old son in Oklahoma

July 1st, 2008 Mike Evans

A father and his 2-year-old son were killed in an accident on a 4-wheeler ATV in Arkoma, Oklahoma on June 30, 2008, according to an article in NewsOK.com. An epidemiologist in the Oklahoma State Health Department said this brings the death toll from ATV accidents to 5 since January 2008, including 3 children. In 2007, there were 16 deaths, 4 of which were children under the age of 18.

For advice on the safe use of ATVs, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website ATVSafety.gov.

Posted in ATV accidents, ATV safety information | No Comments »

ATVs Recalled By Kawasaki Due to Loss of Speed Control

July 1st, 2008 Mike Evans

On June 26, 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of certain Kawasaki ATVs due to loss of speed control.  Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 2008 Model Year KFX 50 and KFX 90 Youth ATVs

Units: About 6,000

Distributed by: Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif.

Hazard: The throttle can fail to return to the idle position when released or could fail to be at idle on start-up. This could result in loss of vehicle control, posing a risk of serious injury or death to the rider.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall includes 2008 model year KFX 50 (50cc) and KFX 90 (90cc) youth ATVs. The affected models are green or white with black trim. The model name is located on either side below the handlebars.

Sold by: Kawasaki dealerships nationwide from August 2007 through June 2008 for about $1,750 (KFX 50) and $2,200 (KFX 90).

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ATVs and contact any authorized dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners were sent direct mail notification of this recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kawasaki toll-free at (866) 802-9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kawasaki.com.

Posted in ATV recalls, ATV safety information, Kawasaki | No Comments »

ATVs Recalled By KYMCO Due to Loss of Speed Control

July 1st, 2008 Mike Evans

On June 26, 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of KYMCO ATVs due to loss of speed control. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 2008 Model Year Mongoose Youth ATVs

Units: About 1,700

Importer: KYMCO USA, of Spartanburg, S.C.

Hazard: A manufacturing defect in the carburetor can cause the throttle to stick open, posing a risk of serious injury or death to the rider.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves model year 2008 Mongoose 50cc, 70cc and 90cc Youth ATVs. KYMCO is printed on a label located on the front of the vehicle, and the model name is printed on a label located on each side of the fuel tank.

Sold by: KYMCO dealers nationwide from August 2007 through June 2008 for between $1,700 and $2,100.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ATVs and contact any authorized KYMCO dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners were sent direct mail notification of this recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact KYMCO USA toll-free at (888) 235-3417 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kymcousa.com.

Posted in ATV recalls, ATV safety information | No Comments »