Personal Injury & Accident Lawyer Blog

All Terrain Vehicles, or ATV’s as they’re commonly called, have been the target of much in terms of controversy in recent years given the high number of injuries and deaths that have occurred involving their use.  This is especially true of young people, and in recent years there have been countless lawsuits filed on behalf of those injured or killed and one large-scale recall of Yamaha models in the wake of additional problems.

While it should come as no surprise, one state legislature is attempting to regulate the use of ATV’s in its own state, that being Massachusetts.  According to an article published by the Standard-Times:

“A bill that would prohibit children under the age of 14 from operating all-terrain vehicles, motorized dirt bikes and snowmobiles won a favorable recommendation from the Legislature’s Transportation Committee Thursday.

The legislation, filed by Rep. Matthew Patrick, D-Falmouth, and redrafted by the committee, would allow teens between the ages of 14 and 16 to operate recreational vehicles if they are actively supervised by an adult.

Those teens would also be restricted to vehicles with an engine no larger than 90cc.

Under current law, children as young as 10 years old can legally operate recreational vehicles while under adult supervision.

Nationwide, more than 254,000 ATV-related injuries were reported in hospitals and doctors’ offices in 2000, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children under 16 accounted for about 40 percent of the total ATV injuries and deaths.”

This is typically how a process plays out when an issue arises.  Legislatures attempt to pass bills into law that restrict the use of dangerous products, but it usually takes some time to move that bill through the legislature.  Regardless of how this plays out, if you or someone you love has been injured or worse on an ATV, you still have legal rights and options.  Contact the Phillips National Injury Group today to schedule a free initial consultation in order to obtain specific answers to your questions.