The invention of the wheel changed people’s lives forever.
Our obssession with wheels and travel keeps evolving.
We go further and faster than any previous generation. The flip side of the coin is that few of us get through life without some sort of personal injury due a car or motorcyle accident.
I’ll never forget the day my brother’s set of wheels failed him!
We’re talking two wheels here. In fact, it was a souped-up bicycle with an actual motor attached. He didn’t have to waste good energy pedaling. It saved him extra exhaustion from the summer’s heat while he commuted to do yard work for clients a few miles away. (When you’re competing with older siblings for a ride to work, having your own wheels is a real plus!)
Unfortunately, he experienced a mechanical failure that sent him face first into a gravel driveway.
No bones were broken, but a faceful of imbedded gravel is super painful! Thankfully, there were no serious lasting injuries. Just a few facial scars.
Mechanical failure is one cause of car and motorcycle accidents.
Unfortunately, the most common motorcycle and ATV accidents happen due to human failure — mistakes in judgment or carelessness.
Kids, country living, room to roam — add wheels to the mix, and you have the recipe for personal injuries that could be life-changing!
A friend I know was a best man at a wedding years ago. The night before the wedding, to celebrate, friends and the groom-to-be took a rip-roaring spin through the fields and woods. No alcohol was involved. Just speed-lovin’ guys and their wheels…
The bride will never forget that her groom arrived at the wedding with his arm in a cast and his ribs taped.
Again, it could have been so much worse. Thankfully, none of his groomsmen suffered permanent injuries, and the groom recovered!
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports over 1,700 deaths in 2014 due to motorcycle crashes alone. Close to 2,000 injuries were reported. https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/SAC/crash_data_motorcycle_960grid.html
This does not include any statistics for ATVs or other offroad vehicles that young people love to use.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data reports show that nationwide fatal ATV accidents have reduced significantly since 2006. The average for adult deaths per year ranges around 564 adult ATV-related deaths and 123 children.
If your young person is going to enjoy some offroading fun on a motorcycle or ATV, here are some safety pointers to review: ( see https://onsafety.cps.gov)
1.) Get training on how to use the ATV from an experienced instructor.
Like me, you may know very little about operating an ATV. You need a teacher who knows what they are talking about and can show you or your young person the ropes in a hands-on way!
2.) Like a motorcyclist or any cyclist, you should always wear your helmet!
Just do it. Head injuries account for almost 30% of personal injuries due to ATV accidents. Would you really choose a wheelchair to be your next set of wheels? Imagine a brain injury that takes away your child’s ability to work or take care of himself!
3.) Maybe you’re working on that farmer’s tan, but wear protective clothing, too!
Long sleeves, long pants, protective eyewear — these are all smart moves to help protect against personal injury.
4.) Don’t overload the motorcycle or ATV!
Seriously, unless you’re in a third world country and this is your ride to work, no crowds allowed!
5.) Last but not least, don’t let your smaller young person drive an adult-sized ATV!
Kids die in these accidents. Trying to drive a 600lb +vehicle is a far cry from riding a bicycle. These wheels are FAST and HEAVY. Even your super-kid with common sense may find themselves overwhelmed and unprepared.
Your friends at The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC want to encourage you to avoid needing a personal injury lawyer. However, if you or your child have suffered a personal injury in an ATV or motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you need legal help!
You will receive meticulous attention and a free evaluation of your personal injury case at The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC. They will aggressively pursue your rights to compensation.
To schedule your free consultation call The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC at 636-244-3737.
http://steimel-law.com/personal-injury.html