The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reported that two individuals were injured Monday night when two off-road motorcycles collided on Hardscrabble Road in Auburn. The two bikes collided around 6:40 p.m. near an entrance to a wooded area. Investigators believe the two motorcycles were approaching each other from opposite directions just before the crash. The two riders were taken by ambulance to the hospital, although no information was available concerning their condition. One dirt bike was thrown into the woods; the other was found resting in the road. No other information was available as of Monday evening, May 26th.
Off-Road Vehicle Dangers
With the summer months providing ample sunshine and warm weather, many people across the U.S. like to dust off the ATV or dirt bike and spend the long summer afternoons riding. While some may view all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or off-road vehicles (ORV)s like dirt bikes as “recreational vehicles” and, hence, somewhat safer than cars and trucks, the truth is that ATVs and ORVs can cause serious, sometimes fatal injuries in a crash or accident.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that between 1982 and 2011, 71 Massachusetts residents were killed in ATV accidents (an ATV was defined as an off-road vehicle having 3, 4, or an unknown number of wheels). This number included 18 children under the age of 16 who were killed between 1982 and 2007 and 4 deaths that have occurred between 2008 and 2011. In 2011, there was a total of 327 reported deaths from ATV-related accidents nationwide along with an estimated 107,500 injuries requiring emergency room treatment.
ORV Safety
There are a few steps drivers of ORVs can take in order to reduce the likelihood of suffering an injury or death. It is not uncommon for ORV riders to experience crushing-type injuries, broken bones, or severe head injuries – especially if the driver is not wearing proper protective equipment.
· Always wear a helmet: Not only does a helmet reduce the chance of a severe or fatal head injury, in Massachusetts, it is the law. Protective clothing like long sleeves and long pants can help protect a driver or rider from trees, rocks, and other debris.
· Do not ride ORVs or ATVs on paved road: Off-road vehicles and ATVs can be difficult to control on paved roads, resulting in a driver losing control and crashing into a car or other vehicle. The CPSC reports that many ATV fatalities involve ATVs on paved roads.
· Do not drive while under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s reaction time and judgment, making ORVs and ATVs dangerous in the hands of a drunk or drugged driver.
When You’ve Been Injured in an ORV or ATV Accident
Contact us today at (508) 755-7535 for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV or ORV accident. Sometimes a driver’s own bad judgment is to blame for an accident. But other times, the carelessness of another ATV rider or a defect in the vehicle may have caused the accident. In such circumstances, your medical bills, treatment costs, and other expenses and injuries may be compensated.