ATV Accident Sends Two Teens to Hospital

An ATV accident caused two teenagers to be flown by two separate medical helicopters to Ruby Memorial Hospital on Sunday afternoon. The accident happened on Junkins Avenue Extension in the Adamston area of Clarksburg just after 6 p.m.

Witnesses said a boy and girl were riding together on the ATV when it lost control, flipped several times and landed in a ditch. According to witnesses neither person was wearing a helmet. The West Virginia State Police is investigating the incident.

ATVs are a hobby for many West Virginians. However, as evidenced above, ATVs are extremely dangerous-especially for those without training on how to properly operate an ATV. In order to minimize injuries, these safety tips should be remembered:

• Obtain training on how to properly use an ATV-safety courses teach people the proper way to handle ATVs and how to operate ATVs in various different settings.
• Always wear protective gear – especially a helmet – when riding ATVs. Because of their design, ATVs are prone to roll-over type accidents. Roll-over accidents often cause head injuries, making injury recovery more difficult and complicated.
• Do not drive an ATV with a passenger or ride as a passenger. The majority of ATVs are designed for one-person use. Adding a passenger to an ATV can cause the center of gravity to shift, causing the ATV to be more prone to wrecks.
• Do not drive ATVs on paved roads. Because of how they are made, ATVs are difficult to control on paved roads. In addition, collisions with cars and other vehicles can occur on paved roads.
• Do not drive ATVs while under the influence of alcohol. Reaction time and judgment are two essential elements to safely operating an ATV. Alcohol diminishes an individual’s ability to react quickly and use good judgment, increasing the chance of an accident.

Unfortunately, ATVs can cause serious and debilitating injuries. Further, when ATV accidents do occur, it can be very difficult to navigate insurance policies to find liability coverage. An experienced West Virginia ATV accident attorney can help you navigate insurance coverages to assist you in recovering for your injuries. Contact Manchin Injury Law Group today to explore your legal options during a free consultation. Call us or contact us online.