ATV Injuries - Recreational Vehicle Accidents - Scooter Injury

Experienced Maryland Recreational Vehicle Injury Attorneys

Protecting your rights when you’re injured on a defective scooter, ORV, or ATV

Recreational vehicles, like all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road vehicles (ORVs) provide easy access to off-road areas, and many people use them for both work and play. Along with electric scooters, mopeds, and other vehicles, they provide an alternative and fun mode of transportation – but also come with their own sets of rules and regulations. These vehicles can be dangerous when operated recklessly or incorrectly. However, not every ATV or scooter crash can be blamed on the operator.

The Maryland defective product attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. understand the ins and outs of product liability. When a defective ATV, scooter, or any other recreational vehicle causes you or a loved one injury, we can step in and make it right. We hold negligent manufacturers accountable when they cause the public harm. Let our experienced personal injury lawyers help.

ATV and ORV injury statistics

All-terrain vehicles have a lot of power behind them and can be dangerous when used by inexperienced drivers, or even experienced drivers, if an ATV has defective parts. Some of the statistics around ATV and ORV injuries include:

  • In 2017, there were 15,000 accidents and injuries involving ATVs
  • Over 25% of these accidents happened to children under 16 years old
  • 80 percent of fatal injuries occur to the driver of the vehicle and not the passenger
  • Nearly 75% of ATV injuries include serious spinal cord and brain injuries

Our attorneys will investigate the cause of your injury and determine who or what was responsible.

Scooter and e-scooter injury statistics

As electric scooters have enjoyed a boon in popularity over the past few years, especially in bigger towns and cities, injuries have risen as well. A recent story in USA Today highlighted this rash of injuries, pointing out that electric scooter injuries have tripled over the past four years. They also noted the following:

  • Between 2014 and 2018, nearly 40,000 Americans were treated for injuries in emergency rooms for scooter injuries
  • Most injuries occurred in riders aged 18 to 34
  • More than a dozen deaths have been linked to scooters over the past few years

The state of Maryland has laws and regulations that riders of ATVs and scooters must follow, just like any other vehicle driver.

Where can I drive recreational vehicles in Maryland?

Maryland has certain laws in place regarding ATVs:

  • They may not be operated on public roadways and property
  • ATVs may not be operated on private property without written consent of the owner
  • Minors must wear helmets
  • ATVs must have a registration permit

The state also has regulations around motorized scooters, mopeds, and motor scooters:

  • Motorized scooters. These are two-wheeled devices with handlebars designed to be stood on by the operator, powered by either electric or gas motors. These types of scooters cannot be driver on public roads and can be only be used on private property with the property owner’s permission.
  • Mopeds. A moped is like a bicycle, with a seat, but operated with the assistance of a motor. It can have two or three wheels, and a motor with a rating of 1.5 brake horsepower or less, and an internal combustion engine of 50cc piston displacement or less. Operators of mopeds must have a Maryland driver’s license or moped license. Mopeds can be driven on any road where the speed limit is 50mph or less, but may not be driven more than 30mph. Operators must also wear a helmet and have appropriate insurance.
  • Motor scooter. A motor scooter is similar to a moped, with a step-through chassis and two wheels. The difference is that it has a motor with a rating of 2.7 brake horsepower or less, or a motor with a capacity of 50cc displacement or less. All moped driving rules apply.

If you were injured in a crash because another driver failed to follow traffic laws, our Maryland attorneys can help you file a claim against the negligent party.

What causes ATV and scooter accidents?

Injuries from recreational vehicle accidents and crashes happen for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes this is due to operator inexperience and negligence; sometimes this is due to defective products and parts. Common causes of crashes and injuries include:

  • Reckless vehicle operation, including failure to obey traffic laws and speeding
  • Driving a recreational vehicle while intoxicated
  • Allowing inexperienced or untrained drivers to operate a vehicle
  • ATV or scooter malfunctions causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles
  • Poor weather conditions, like fog, snow or rain

Any of these can cause a crash that results in severe injuries to a driver and/or their occupants. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we work to recover compensation for these injuries and losses.

What are common recreational vehicle injuries in Maryland?

Because many ATVs, OTVs, and other motorized vehicles are used off-road and on private property, a crash can be more serious than a regular car accident. ATVs may be traveling at a high speed, occupants are not fully protected, and terrain may be more dangerous than expected. And, if a vehicle does not operate as it is supposed to, the outcome can be tragic, resulting in injuries like:

These types of injuries can lead to long-term or permanent disability, or in the worst case, wrongful death.

How do I prove a product liability case when I’m injured by a defective ATV?

After an injury stemming from a defective ATV, scooter, or other vehicle, you must show that the product or part was defective. One example of this would be losing control of a scooter because of defective brakes, or a moped catching fire due to a defective fuel line.  Our Maryland attorneys work to show where the defect occurred – whether in design, manufacturing or marketing – and how that defect caused your injuries.

Then, we hold the right people responsible, seeking compensation on behalf of you or your loved one for your losses, including:

  • Medical expenses, current and future
  • Physical therapy, current and future
  • Lost wages and future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Funeral and burial expenses, in cases of wrongful death

In cases of extreme negligence, we will also request punitive damages. Our legal team works to ensure you are properly compensated for your injuries.

Dedicated Maryland ATV and scooter accident attorneys

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we protect the rights of children and adults injured in scooter and ATV crashes. We understand the severity of these accidents and stand ready to advocate for you when you are injured as a result of another’s negligence. We can help with both personal injury and product liability actions. To learn more, or to schedule a free consultation, please call 410-730-7737 or fill out our contact form.