Each year in Kentucky, around 33 people die in ATV/UTC crashes which makes them the third highest out of the 50 states. Kentucky does have a law against riding an off-road vehicle while intoxicated which can cover crashes and incidents on dirt and gravel road, trails and public spaces.
But many people in Kentucky, especially younger drivers, don’t feel that the same rules apply when riding an ATV or UTV.
17-Year-Old Arrested in UTV Crash that Seriously Injured Teen
The driver of a UTV rounded a corner at high speed on West Ault Sawmill Road in Washington County in southern Indiana Saturday and the UTV rolled three times. The driver was thrown off and a female passenger was thrown across the road and under a three-section disc being towed by a tractor.
The female victim was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital in critical condition. She sustained a severe head injury, broken wrist and arm, broken leg, bruised lung, and a fractured shoulder. Police arrested the driver on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
ATV DUI Accident Liability
In both Kentucky and Indiana, UTV drivers have to follow the same rules for driving a car when it comes to drinking alcohol and driving. If the driver has a bac of .08 or over, then he or she can be charged with a DUI on top of any charges for illegally riding an off-road vehicle on a public road.
However, when it comes to paying for the medical bills of someone injured, it’s most likely that the driver’s auto insurance won’t cover the damages. This is because an ATV or UTV is outside the list of covered vehicles unless the policy has a specific provision for UTVs.
If the auto policy won’t cover the damages, then the victim will have to hope that the driver has a homeowner’s policy that will cover their injuries. Without this, many ATV/UTV accident victims will have to pay for their own damages.
UTV Injuries
The majority of UTV accidents that cause serious injuries happen when the vehicle rolls. UTV’s aren’t as stable as a car, truck or jeep and they roll over much easier. This usually ejects the passenger who then suffers another impact with the ground.
This causes certain common injuries in UTV crashes, which are:
- Traumatic Head Injury
- Broken Arms/Legs
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Broken/Displaced Ribs
- Punctured Ribs
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an ATV/UTV accident, don’t take the insurance company’s word for it that there is no coverage. Talk to an attorney who knows the law and who knows where to look for compensation for one’s injuries.
You need someone just as experienced to help you level the field. Talk to someone you can trust to fairly represent your claim.
The attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get the results they deserve. To discuss your case, call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, at (800) 937-8443 or click here to contact them online.
