Pittsburgh ATV Accident Attorney
All-terrain vehicles, also known as ATVs and quad-bikes, are fun recreational vehicles, but require an extra measure of care due to their nature. Much like motorcycles, ATVs are open to external hazards, leaving riders unprotected from the elements and external forces. Riders should wear safety equipment at all times while operating an ATV. Furthermore, Pennsylvania has specific laws for ATVs, which require all riders to wear helmets while operating these vehicles. The ATV accident attorneys at Ronald J. Bua & Associates have the experience to get you or your loved one the compensation you need to make a full and lasting recovery.
Dangers of ATVs
ATV riders also face other risks due to the nature of these vehicles. ATVs are smaller, lighter and usually more maneuverable than other passenger cars. These qualities may encourage riders to engage in unsafe actions, such as speeding, sharp turns, or stunts. Riders injured in ATV accidents often hit the ground hard, resulting in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, impact wounds and internal damage from blunt force trauma. Riders also may become pinned by a flipped ATV, resulting in serious crushing injuries.
Winning an Pittsburgh ATV Accident Lawsuit
Pennsylvania operates under a comparative negligence law, meaning you can collect compensation for injuries even if you are partially at fault for an accident. ATV accidents and collisions involving other recreational vehicles operate under the concept of fault. The court will examine the evidence of the case, including police reports, medical reports, expert witness testimony (if necessary), eyewitness testimony, and any other pertinent information to assess who is to blame for the accident.
The comparative negligence law of Pennsylvania means you can still collect compensation even if the court finds you partially at fault for the accident. If you are 10 percent at fault for the collision, the judge will reduce your compensation by 10 percent. Your Pittsburgh ATV accident lawyer will help you navigate the details of your case.
Collecting Compensation for Your Pennsylvania ATV Accident
In any personal injury case, you can potentially receive monetary compensation for the damages and injuries you suffer due to another person or party’s negligence. We define negligence as violating the duty to act with the reasonable care that one would expect of parties in a given situation. When a person or entity breaches this duty of care and injures another party, the court can hold that party legally liable for the resulting injuries and assess damages.
ATV accidents often result in traumatic brain injuries. Injuries to the brain can have a wide array of effects, depending on severity. A slight brain injury may result in a mild concussion, which can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, mood swings as well as a heightened susceptibility to future concussions. Severe brain injuries can leave the victim permanently disabled. Some ATV accidents may be fatal, in which case your family may file a wrongful death claim if it feels another party caused your loved one’s death. Consulting a Pittsburgh wrongful death lawyer is the best option if someone you love has been involved in a fatal ATV accident.
It’s vital to obtain legal representation for any personal injury case, no matter how straightforward or open-and-shut one may seem. Without the proper legal training and experience, victims who choose to represent themselves may not account for some types of compensation they could collect or fail to gather the necessary evidence to craft a compelling case. There also are several strict deadlines to meet when filing court motions.
If an ATV accident injures you in the Pittsburgh area, it’s important to have a reliable attorney on your side to navigate your case to a successful outcome. The Pittsburgh injury lawyers at Ronald J. Bua & Associates have represented clients of the Pittsburgh area in all manners of personal injury and wrongful death claims for more than 30 years. We handle most cases on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t owe us any legal fees unless you win your case. Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your (or your loved one’s) ATV accident case today.