According to a recent Sun-Sentinel report, an Atlantic High School senior and star football player from Delray Beach was recently killed when his dirt bike crashed into an SUV in nearby Greenacres. The accident occurred when the dirt bike, which did not have headlights, and a Chevrolet Equinox crashed on a dark stretch of road. As the Chevrolet SUV was turning onto the road, the dirt bike slammed into its front passenger door. The dirt bike’s driver was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment, but was pronounced dead a week later from his injuries. The dirt bike’s driver was a starter and star player on last year’s Atlantic High School football team, which finished as the Florida Class 8A state runners-up. He had already received multiple scholarship offers from Division I football programs. This was a tragedy of a young football career cut short by the decision to drive on an off-road vehicle.
Dirt Bikes, ATV’s, Off-Road Vehicles and the Dangers They Can Pose
Riding in or driving a dirt bike, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or other type of off-road vehicle can be extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, many people get behind the wheel of such vehicles and sometimes engage in reckless behavior by driving at breakneck speeds, taking sharp turns without braking, and other dangerous behaviors. This coupled with the fact that many off-road vehicles lack even basic safety features like headlights or seat belts, can make the incidence of death or serious injury extremely high. This can spell danger for motor vehicle drivers in the vicinity or even passengers in the ATV, who can be thrown from the vehicle and suffer serious injuries or even death. In addition, if a dirt bike or ATV is driven in the vicinity of motor vehicles, accidents can often be fatal for off-road vehicle drivers and passengers, as many do not wear helmets or other protective gear despite the lack of safety features on such vehicles.
Damages Recoverable in an Accident Involving an Off-Road Vehicle
In a dirt bike or other off-road vehicle accident like the recent incident in Greenacres, the same damages apply as in any other personal injury lawsuit in Florida. These include the costs of any repairs to a vehicle or other property that is damaged as a result of someone else’s negligence, any medical treatment for injuries caused in the accident, as well as pain and suffering for any injuries associated with an accident caused by one party’s negligence. Therefore, in the accident above, if the high school football player on the dirt bike was determined by a jury to be at fault in the accident, his estate could be sued for each of these damages by the driver and passengers in the Equinox.
The Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys of Lytal Reiter Are Here to Assist Victims of Dirt Bike, ATV or Other Off-Road Vehicle Accidents in Florida
At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrathour experienced personal injury attorneys have decades of combined legal experience representing victims of dirt bike and other ATV accidents. We have successfully represented individuals who have been injured in accidents involving off-road vehicles in the past. Therefore, if you have been involved in an accident involving a dirt bike, all-terrain vehicle or other off-road vehicle in Florida and have been injured by someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, please call us today for a free consultation at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation regarding your situation today.
