All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a fun and exhilarating form of recreation in Tennessee, but they carry a high risk of injury. Due to their design and riding conditions, ATVs and other off-highway vehicles (OHVs) cause over 100,000 emergency visits and 800 deaths in the US per year.

If you were hurt in an ATV accident in Jonesborough, TN, reach out to the attorneys at The Terry Law Firm for help. You could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost work income, and more, and we want to demand it on your behalf. Our seasoned attorneys can help you file a claim and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Contact The Terry Law Firm online or call us today to schedule your free, no-obligation case review with a Jonesborough ATV accident attorney.

Reasons to Hire Our Law Firm After a Jonesborough ATV Injury

If you are suffering from a serious injury, the last thing you need is to deal with the complexities of managing a personal injury case. An ATV injury lawyer from The Terry Law Firm can pursue your claim effectively and fight for the maximum possible compensation. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients and will utilize every available strategy and resource to secure a victory.

ATV accidents often present difficult questions about assumed risk and manufacturer liability — questions that are difficult to answer without professional knowledge. That’s what we’re here for. An ATV crash attorney from our law practice can investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove the extent of your injuries and minimize any liability attributable to you. With our help, you can pursue the resources you need to rebuild your life while focusing your energies on your rest and recovery.

Common Causes of ATV Accidents in Jonesborough and East Tennessee

Many causes of ATV accidents in Jonesborough come down to operator negligence, maintenance issues, or manufacturing defects in the vehicle, such as the following:

  • Speeding
  • Inexperienced operator
  • Carrying too many passengers
  • Reckless operation
  • Riding on unsuitable trails
  • Operating under the influence of drugs and alcohol
  • Negligent ATV maintenance
  • ATV part defects (e.g., brakes, tires, etc.)
  • Unsafe road design

ATV accidents may also happen due to inherently dangerous vehicle design. For instance, many ATVs are top-heavy and have a relatively high center of gravity. This design makes them more likely to flip over during operation, potentially crushing the rider.

What Types of Injuries Are Frequently Sustained in ATV Accidents?

ATVs lack the cabin protection and safety restraints provided by passenger vehicles, leaving riders exposed, which can result in extensive injuries in the event of an accident. Speed and unstable terrain are two additional factors that contribute to ATV injuries. The following injuries are often due to the rider being thrown off the vehicle after an accident:

  • Bruises, cuts, and lacerations
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Dislocated joints
  • Tendon and ligament tears
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Dental and eye trauma
  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Crushing injuries
  • Burns and chemical exposure
  • Amputations

Key Tennessee ATV Laws and Safety Regulations You Need to Know

Tennessee Code 55-8-185 lists all the state highways on which it’s legal to operate an ATV. The same law further states that ATVs can operate on unpaved streets and roads so long as riders comply with the following rules:

  • There is a municipal ordinance regulating ATV usage on local roads, and the governing body notifies the Department of Safety.
  • ATV use is prohibited from half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise.
  • All ATV operators and passengers wear helmets.
  • No ATV may be driven on the Tennessee interstate and defense highway systems.

These laws matter because they could impact liability in a personal injury claim. If you violate one of these laws and sustain injuries in an accident, your negligence could reduce the value of your claim.

What Are Your Legal Options After an ATV Accident in Jonesborough?

Your legal options for recovering compensation after an ATV accident in Jonesborough depend on which party bears liability. Several entities could be liable for your injuries, including the following:

  • ATV Operator/Owner – If you are a passenger in an ATV accident, you can potentially sue the operator for negligent driving if you sustain injuries. You may also be able to sue the owner if they negligently let the operator use the vehicle when they were unfit.
  • ATV Manufacturer – If the accident occurred due to a defective ATV part or dangerous vehicle design, you could file a product liability claim against the vehicle’s manufacturer. In product liability cases in Tennessee, injury victims do not have to prove negligence to recover financial compensation.
  • ATV Rental Company – ATV rental companies can be liable for injuries if they fail to properly repair their vehicles or otherwise neglect routine fleet maintenance.
  • Trail Owner/Operator – If the accident happened due to negligent trail maintenance, you could potentially file a premises liability lawsuit against the trail’s owner or operator.

Depending on your circumstances, you could be entitled to compensation for the following:

  • Medical bills and continuing medical expenses
  • Lost work income and other forms of employment compensation
  • Differences between pre- and post-injury expected lifetime earnings
  • Miscellaneous injury expenses (e.g., transportation, childcare, etc.)
  • Pain and suffering

ATVs are inherently risky vehicles, so the opposing party might try to argue you should have anticipated these risks or taken steps to protect yourself. They might contend that you are at least partially to blame for the accident and that you deserve less compensation as a consequence. Don’t let them get away with this hardball tactic. Instead, get help from an experienced ATV accident attorney and assert your right to fair compensation.

How Terry Law Firm Can Help with Your ATV Accident Case

At Terry Law Firm, we’re committed to helping people in your position demand accountability and compensation. Our lawyers are meticulous in our investigations and can negotiate with stubborn insurers who attempt to shift blame or minimize your injuries. If necessary, we can take your case to court and argue it before a judge or jury. What’s more, we won’t charge you anything unless we win your case.

If you would like to speak to an ATV accident lawyer in Jonesborough, TN, contact The Terry Law firm online or by phone today. The sooner you do, the sooner we can start building your case.