How Do Side-by-Side Accidents Happen?
cartwrightlaw - April 4, 2022 -
How Do Side-by-Side Accidents can Occur?
As the weather starts warming up in California, ATV enthusiasts also start getting ready to get out and ride their ATVs on their favorite trails. ATVs, which are also commonly referred to as side-by-sides, are very popular in California and increasingly so. It is an enjoyable experience to ride these side-by-sides for those who appreciate that, but it is also a dangerous endeavor. At The Cartwright Law Firm, we represent victims who have suffered injuries caused by side-by-side vehicle accidents.
Causes of Side-by-Side (ATV) Accidents
There are many causes of side-by-side accidents, but the most common are:
- Vehicle Design. The design of a side-by-side vehicle has features no different from what you know from a regular vehicle, such as the steering wheel, adjacent seats, and the windshield, which leads the driver to believe the vehicle is just as safe as a regular car. Unfortunately, this is not the case because side-by-sides do not have both the stability and safety features you would find in especially modern vehicles. This false sense of safety leads drivers to not take the extra caution required with these vehicles.
- Falling Off. Many of these side-by-sides are designed to hold only one passenger. When a second or even third passenger gets in to ride along, this is an accident waiting to happen because even a minor gravitational shift can lead to the second or third passenger falling off the side-by-side. In some cases, a passenger’s shifting of their weight in the side-by-side can result in vehicle imbalance that, in turn, can cause the driver to lose control of the side-by-side.
- Negligence or Recklessness. Compounding the problem of side-by-side design, which does not have the stability and safety of a regular vehicle, is the tendency of many of these side-by-side drivers to drive negligently or even recklessly in the name of maximizing their pleasure. The high adrenaline realized in pushing the envelope to the limit is nothing but an accident waiting to happen. Speeding is always the leading culprit in accidents caused by negligent or reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence. Another form of negligent or reckless driving of side-by-sides involved driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When someone is driving under the influence, their judgment is impaired, and this often leads to causing accidents that can be deadly or result in serious injuries.
- Defective Parts. As in the case with all motorized vehicles, a side-by-side must have all parts of the vehicle working according to how they are designed to work. However, there are times when one or more of these parts may fail to work as designed either because of a design defect, or because of poor maintenance. In either case, when a side-by-side part fails to work as is supposed to because of a defect, then the outcome is often an accident that results in serious or even deadly injuries.
A San Francisco Side-By-Side Accident Attorney Can Help
If you have been injured in a side-by-side accident, contact our office today for a free consultation.
How Do Side-by-Side Accidents can Occur?
As the weather starts warming up in California, ATV enthusiasts also start getting ready to get out and ride their ATVs on their favorite trails. ATVs, which are also commonly referred to as side-by-sides, are very popular in California and increasingly so. It is an enjoyable experience to ride these side-by-sides for those who appreciate that, but it is also a dangerous endeavor. At The Cartwright Law Firm, we represent victims who have suffered injuries caused by side-by-side vehicle accidents.
Causes of Side-by-Side (ATV) Accidents
There are many causes of side-by-side accidents, but the most common are:
- Vehicle Design. The design of a side-by-side vehicle has features no different from what you know from a regular vehicle, such as the steering wheel, adjacent seats, and the windshield, which leads the driver to believe the vehicle is just as safe as a regular car. Unfortunately, this is not the case because side-by-sides do not have both the stability and safety features you would find in especially modern vehicles. This false sense of safety leads drivers to not take the extra caution required with these vehicles.
- Falling Off. Many of these side-by-sides are designed to hold only one passenger. When a second or even third passenger gets in to ride along, this is an accident waiting to happen because even a minor gravitational shift can lead to the second or third passenger falling off the side-by-side. In some cases, a passenger’s shifting of their weight in the side-by-side can result in vehicle imbalance that, in turn, can cause the driver to lose control of the side-by-side.
- Negligence or Recklessness. Compounding the problem of side-by-side design, which does not have the stability and safety of a regular vehicle, is the tendency of many of these side-by-side drivers to drive negligently or even recklessly in the name of maximizing their pleasure. The high adrenaline realized in pushing the envelope to the limit is nothing but an accident waiting to happen. Speeding is always the leading culprit in accidents caused by negligent or reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence. Another form of negligent or reckless driving of side-by-sides involved driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When someone is driving under the influence, their judgment is impaired, and this often leads to causing accidents that can be deadly or result in serious injuries.
- Defective Parts. As in the case with all motorized vehicles, a side-by-side must have all parts of the vehicle working according to how they are designed to work. However, there are times when one or more of these parts may fail to work as designed either because of a design defect, or because of poor maintenance. In either case, when a side-by-side part fails to work as is supposed to because of a defect, then the outcome is often an accident that results in serious or even deadly injuries.
A San Francisco Side-By-Side Accident Attorney Can Help
If you have been injured in a side-by-side accident, contact our office today for a free consultation.
“Our successful case results are a reflection of the values and virtues we believe in and uphold at Cartwright Law Firm. Nothing stops us from pursuing justice on behalf of those who need it.
Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner