Children between the ages of 5 and 12 have more emergency room visits for ATV accidents than other age groups, according to Dr. David E. Wesson of the Texas Children’s Hospital. The number of children treated there for injuries in ATV accidents rose from 14 in 2008 to 26 so far this year.
“Although we are able to provide the best care to those patients who have experienced severe and life-threatening injuries from ATV’s, we believe the best way to treat these type of accidents is to avoid them from ever occurring in the first place,” Wesson said.
In 2010, his hospital treated 28 children for severe injuries resulting from ATV accidents. Eleven of them required critical surgeries and two required multiple extensive surgeries.
One local family, the Cannons, are selling their ATVs and not looking back after their 6-year-old son Cannon was severely injured while riding. He suffered two skull fractures, a brain bleed, stomach bleed, and pulmonary contusions. He wasn’t wearing his helmet at the time.
According to YourHoustonNews.com, there are several things you can do to improve the safety of riding ATVs:
- Never operate or ride when no one else is around.
- Regardless of a person’s age or “experience” on open vehicles, no one should ever operate a vehicle alone or without supervision.
- Take a hands-on safety course.
- Formal training teaches drivers how to control ATVs in typical situations. Drivers with formal, hands-on ATV training have a lower injury risk than drivers with no formal training.
- Always wear protective gear—especially a helmet—when riding a moving vehicle.
- Many ATV injuries are head injuries. Wearing a helmet may reduce the severity of these injuries. Wearing over-the-ankle boots, goggles, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt can protect against cuts, abrasions and other injuries from rocks, trees and other debris.
- Do not drive an ATV with a passenger or ride as a passenger.
Many ATV accidents involving children occur when their parents aren’t around. Maybe your child is spending the weekend with friends or family and you know they have ATVs. Make certain that safety precautions are followed or simply forbid your children from riding ATVs until they are older or have gone through a safety course.
Kevin Krist, Houston Accident Attorney
When your children’s safety is in someone else’s hands, you trust the person to care for them as much as you would. But, accidents happen. Whether riding on the back of an ATV or motorcycle or even riding in someone else’s car, your child can be severely injured by someone else’s negligence. When this happens, you have rights.
Contact me today to discuss your eligibility for compensation after an accident such as this. Call me at 281-677-3967.
