ATV Accidents and Liability Claims
Las Vegas, Nevada
ATV injury lawsuits in Nevada
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have grown in popularity in Nevada, so as the ATV accidents and injuries. If you or your child got hurt in an ATV accident, call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
Severe injuries from ATV accidents can have a long recovery. While no attorney can reverse the unfortunate events of your ATV accident, we can get you money to pay for your medical bills and other damages.
We don't charge for consultations.
What is an ATV?
ATVs are motorized vehicles designed for off-road use in various environments.
In Nevada, enthusiasts ride ATVs at desert trails, dunes (Amargosa Sand Dunes is a popular place), off-road parks, backcountry trails, or within designated areas on private ranches.
These vehicles have low-pressure tires and can handle a variety of terrains, such as dirt trails, rocky paths, and uneven surfaces.
ATV accidents defined
An ATV accident is any situation involving an ATV vehicle that results in property damage, injury, or death.
Causes of ATV accidents
The most common cause of ATV accidents in Nevada is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Other common causes include:
- Lack of proper training and experience,
- Reckless driving,
- Terrain conditions,
- Mechanical failures,
- Lack of protective gear,
- Collision with objects,
- Crashing on unfamiliar terrain or
- Driving on a paved road.
Poor ATV design is not so uncommon and can cause an accident. The ATV recalls included several prominent manufacturers like Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, and Polaris Industries, all due to the risk of injury and loss of control.
Injuries after ATV accidents
The injuries after the ATV accidents could be devastating and often require expensive treatment and long-term medical care. The most common injuries include head injuries, fractures and broken bones, back injuries, cuts, abrasions, bruises, internal injuries, and psychological trauma.
Some ATV crashes resulted in fatal injuries.
Who is liable?
If the recreational vehicle had an accident because of the negligence of others, in Nevada, the negligent party is financially responsible for all damages, including medical bills and other damages.
The liable party could be:
- The ATV driver if the driver was negligent,
- The ATV owner,
- The ATV manufacturer, if the ATV was defective or unsafe to drive,
- The ATV maintenance company,
- The ATV helmet manufacturer,
- The ATV rental company, if they failed to maintain the ATV properly, or if there was an ATV recall and the rental company didn't comply with the terms of the recall.
When the trail is damaged, the person or organization responsible for maintaining the path could be accountable.
ATV accidents and children
More than half of the individuals seriously injured in ATV accidents are children or young teenagers who were riding an ATV and were utterly unaware of the dangers of these types of vehicles.
In Nevada, if the child was injured, the adult whose negligence caused an accident or allowed the child to ride an ATV without a parent's consent is responsible.
Challenges of ATV lawsuits
1. Driving an ATV under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense in Nevada. Still, it is the most common cause of ATV accidents. Furthermore, if you got injured while driving an ATV under the influence of alcohol or drugs, getting compensation for your injury may be challenging.
2. Another challenging lawsuit to win is if you drove an ATV on a public road and got in an accident. Driving an ATV on a public road in Nevada is prohibited except for a government emergency.
Nevada ATV laws
Before buying an ATV, you need to know the following:
- In Nevada, you must register your ATV at https://ohv.nv.gov/.
- Purchasing insurance is not required for ATV or other off-highway vehicle insurance in Nevada.
- You must be at least 16 years old to operate an ATV.
- Helmets are required if operating on county, town, or city maintained roads.
- You don't need a driver's license to use an ATV.
NRS ยง 490.090, 490.110, 490.120,490.130 provide more details.
The statute of limitations
Under Nevada law, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including ATV injuries, is two (2) years. There are some exceptions to this rule. For more information, read NRS 11.250 or call our office.
If you were partially at fault
Nevada uses the rule of modified comparative negligence. The plaintiff could collect compensation from all other at-fault parties if the plaintiff were less than 51% responsible for the accident. So, even if you contributed to the ATV accident, you still may be eligible for compensation. Call our office for more information.
We can help
Injuries after ATV accidents can be severe, and finding a responsible party could be difficult, as the cause of an accident is not always clear. We often have to launch a thorough investigation, establish the events that led to the crash, check the ATV's maintenance records, and examine the police report.
Call us at 702-432-1000 to learn what your legal options are.
Your consultation will be informative and free.
We work on a contingency basis, and you don't have to pay until we get you money with a settlement or verdict at trial.
We serve clients in Las Vegas, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and the rest of Nevada.
We also represent tourists injured in an ATV accident while visiting Las Vegas or Nevada.
Last updated on January 30, 2024.
