If you or someone you love has been injured in an ATV crash and it was somebody else’s fault, you may be able to receive valuable compensation for your loss. Some things can never be replaced, but through the legal process you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, loss of earning, and future loss of earnings. In the extremely unfortunate event that a death has occurred as a result of the crash, you can file a wrongful death suit.
5 Things You Need to Do after an ATV Crash
- See a medical professional. Minor injuries can turn into major problems, especially with the neck and back. You will also need documentation of your condition if you proceed with the legal process.
- Get as much information you can about the crash. Top items include the names, numbers, and addresses of all the people involved, including witnesses; the most precise location of the crash; information about the ATV, including the make and model number, etc. You will also need copies of all the insurance information.
- Do not talk to anyone about your accident other than law enforcement officials. Anything you say to insurance company representatives or investigators could make it harder for you to settle your claim. It is also a good idea not to sign anything, particularly some kind of release form, without talking to an attorney first. This is just a smart way for you to protect yourself.
- Keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. There is usually a statute of limitations, or a legal deadline, for filing a lawsuit when it comes to ATV accidents. If your claim is not brought within that time, it may be barred regardless of its merits. It is best to not wait until the legal deadline to file a lawsuit.
- Consult a lawyer. You probably have a lot to handle right now. A competent lawyer can make sure everything gets done right. A lawyer can also make things a lot easier for you by negotiating with insurance companies and guiding you through the legal process.
Recall Lawsuit: Crashes Caused by a Defective ATV
Some collisions are caused by manufacturing defects. In legal terms, “manufacturing defects” are flaws in the manufacturing process that result in injuries. “Failure to warn” describes a situation in which a manufacturer knows of a hazard regarding the product and does not warn consumers about it. “Design defects” are errors in the product design that make the vehicle dangerous. People are winning defective product lawsuits against manufacturers. Hundreds of thousands of these products have been recalled since 2000.
You may have the right to sue for compensation even if there is not a recall.
If there was a recall of your ATV prior to your accident, our lawyers can help determine if the recalled part was the cause of your accident. In one of our cases, our client was injured in an accident with a vehicle that had been recalled, but he had not been notified. Attorney Fred Pritzker obtained a $3.5 million settlement for our client.
Attorney to Protect Your Rights
Our firm has helped thousands of people in serious personal injury cases. We have the strength, experience and resources to make sure the job is done right.