Minnesota has thousands of miles of beautiful ATV trails to explore, but just like our roads and waterways, riders need to take certain precautions to help protect themselves from injury. Even if you do everything right, accidents and injuries can still strike due to outside forces or negligence, and that can leave you wondering if you are eligible for injury compensation.
We’ve helped a number of ATV and UTV riders get the compensation they deserve following an accident on the trails, and we’re ready in the event that you have questions or want to get the ball rolling on a claim. In today’s blog, we share some more information about starting and winning an ATV injury claim in Minnesota.
ATV Injury And Liability
In order to have a valid personal injury claim after an ATV accident, you’ll need to prove the following three factors existed:
- Another party owed you a duty of care;
- That party failed to uphold this duty of care; and
- You suffered damages as a direct result of their inability to uphold this duty.
These elements can be met in a number of ways, meaning you may have a valid claim against a few different parties after an ATV accident. For example, you may be able to pursue an injury claim against any of the following parties based on the facts of your case:
Your Driver – If you were riding on an ATV or UTV and the driver caused an accident that resulted in injuries, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
Another Driver – If someone else was driving recklessly or negligently and it caused you to be involved in an accident with injuries or damage to your vehicle, you likely have a valid injury claim.
Property Owner – Property owners who allow ATVs to ride on trails that pass through their land must ensure that the trails are property maintained. If they don’t, they could be held liable in the event of an injury.
Vehicle Drivers – ATV trails oftentimes require riders to safely cross vehicle roadways. If a driver of a vehicle fails to yield or otherwise causes an accident with an ATV rider, the rider may be able to take them to court.
Local Municipalities – Similar to the property owner point, if a city or public municipality that maintains the trails fails to remove downed tree limbs or maintain trail signs, they could be held responsible for injuries suffered by ATV riders.
Manufacturers – If a manufacturing defect with your vehicle led to your accident, you can hold the manufacturer liable for your injuries.
If you believe that any of the above parties failed to uphold the duty of care they owed to you while riding on your ATV or UTV, reach out to an injury firm like the team at Hey Workers. We will start by getting your account of the accident, taking witness statements and reviewing any police reports from the incident. From there, we’ll get to work developing an airtight case that sees you petition for full compensation for your damages. Many insurance companies will try to settle for a fraction of the total amount, but we’ll be by your side to ensure your inexperience with the personal injury system doesn’t end up costing you.
ATV accidents are far too common in Minnesota, and when someone else is to blame, you need to be compensated for your medical expenses and property damage. Even if they didn’t outwardly mean to cause an accident, you need to be compensated for your injuries, and we’re happy to build your case while you focus on your health and family.
For more information on how we can help you develop an ATV injury claim, or to learn more about whether or not you have a valid claim, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
