Common Causes of Serious ATV Accidents in Texas

Serious ATV accidents in Texas often result from careless or reckless riding, excessive speed, inexperience, impaired operation, improper passengers, unsafe terrain, or mechanical problems. These crashes can cause severe injuries because ATV riders don’t have the protection provided by an enclosed passenger vehicle.

ATV riding is common on Texas ranches, private property, designated off-highway trails, and recreational areas such as Eisenhower State Park. If you suffered injuries in an ATV crash, our Texas ATV accident lawyers at Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn can investigate the rider’s conduct, the condition of the ATV and riding area, and other evidence to determine who may be responsible.

Reckless or Careless Riding Can Cause Serious ATV Crashes

Aggressive turns, stunts, riding too close to another ATV, and ignoring trail or property rules can cause a rider to lose control. Texas Transportation Code § 551A.073 prohibits operating an off-highway vehicle on a beach or public off-highway vehicle land in a way that injures or endangers a person or damages property. For instance, a rider who speeds toward another ATV and cuts across its path could cause a collision that throws another rider from the vehicle.

Excessive Speed Can Make an ATV Harder to Control

Speed can become especially dangerous on uneven ground. A rider traveling too fast may have less time to respond to a sharp turn, loose gravel, deep rut, rock, or sudden drop. The same problem can occur on a downhill section of a trail. Braking too late can send an ATV off the trail or cause it to overturn.

Inexperience Can Lead to Loss-of-Control ATV Crashes in Texas

ATVs require riders to understand how the vehicle responds to turns, braking, hills, and changing terrain. Someone unfamiliar with the ATV may make a sudden steering or braking decision that causes a rollover or collision.

Alcohol or Drug Use Can Contribute to ATV Accidents

Alcohol or drugs can affect judgment, coordination, and reaction time. A rider who consumes alcohol before getting on an ATV may take a turn too quickly, misjudge a slope, or fail to respond to another rider. If impairment contributed to the crash, evidence such as witness accounts, statements, video, or law enforcement records may become relevant to the injury claim.

Unauthorized Passengers Can Affect an ATV’s Handling

Not every ATV is designed to carry a passenger. Texas Transportation Code § 551A.074 prohibits carrying a passenger on an ATV unless it was specifically designed by the manufacturer to carry a passenger. Carrying a passenger on an ATV that wasn’t designed for a passenger can affect the vehicle’s handling, particularly during turns or sudden changes in terrain.

Unsafe Terrain Can Contribute to a Serious ATV Crash in Texas

ATV crashes can also involve conditions such as deep mud, loose gravel, steep slopes, hidden holes, fallen branches, or poorly marked trails. A property owner or recreational facility may face a premises liability claim if an unsafe condition contributed to your injury. Photographs, videos, maintenance records, trail information, and witness accounts can help establish what the riding area looked like when the crash occurred.

Mechanical Problems or Defective Parts Can Also Cause ATV Injuries

A crash may not be caused by the rider at all. Brake problems, steering defects, tire failures, throttle problems, or another defective component could cause an ATV to behave unexpectedly. The ATV itself should be preserved when a mechanical problem is suspected. Maintenance records, repair history, photographs, and the vehicle’s components may help determine whether poor maintenance or a defective product contributed to the crash.

When an ATV Ride Ends With an Injury, Call Our ATV Accident Attorneys in Texas

An ATV crash can involve much more than a rider’s mistake. The vehicle, terrain, property, other riders, and surrounding circumstances may all need to be examined to determine what caused the injury. Contact Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn at 817-920-9000 or online to discuss your case with our Texas ATV accident attorneys.