UTVs, often referred to as utility task vehicles or side-by-side vehicles are used largely for work-related tasks. Due to its size, businesses frequently buy UTVs to carry out on-site jobs like taking customers to a specific location, moving light cargo, and other tasks. Although side-by-side vehicles make traveling easy, a side-by-side collision can be fatal. If you are hurt in an ATV accident, you may be able to sue that person for damages in court or through their insurance provider. This article explores everything you need to know about side-by-side accidents.
Common Causes of Accidents:
Side-by-side collisions can have a variety of causes, but the following are the most common:
Vehicle Design:
The design of a side-by-side vehicle incorporates elements similar to a typical car, giving the driver the impression that the car is equally safe. Sadly, this is untrue because side-by-sides lack the stability and safety elements in particularly modern vehicles. Drivers fail to exercise the extra care necessary around these vehicles because of their false sense of security.
Exceeding Occupancy:
Many of these side-by-side vehicles are made to accommodate just one person. When a second or third passenger gets in to ride along, even a small gravitational change might cause the person to slide off the vehicle. Sometimes a passenger’s shifting weight inside a side-by-side can cause the car to become unbalanced, leading to the driver losing control of the vehicle.
Reckless driving:
Many side-by-side drivers have a propensity to drive carelessly to maximize their enjoyment. This only exacerbates the side-by-side design issue, which lacks a standard vehicle’s stability and safety.
Defective Components:
All components must function in a side-by-side vehicle, as with all motorized vehicles. But occasionally, one or more of these components can stop functioning due to a flaw in the design or shoddy maintenance. In any situation, when a side-by-side component has a flaw and doesn’t function as it should, the result is frequently an accident with severe or even fatal damage.
Determining Liability:
A side-by-side car accident may result in several legal difficulties. However, it is important to determine what or who caused the accident to take legal action. This consideration raises a very important question– who is liable in a side-by-side accident? Since an accident can involve multiple parties, the liability differs from case to case.
- The Driver: Drivers may not need a license to operate a side-by-side, but they must be at least 16 years old. Their lack of experience may hamper the ability of drivers to operate the vehicle safely. Additionally, some motorists could take dangerous chances without realizing the risks. Distracted drivers may not notice obstructions in their path, resulting in an accident.
- Company Liability: In some circumstances, a side-by-side’s owner and the operator may be held liable for an accident. Owners of side-by-side corporate vehicles are responsible for maintaining them, ensuring they function safely, and monitoring the drivers’ decisions.
- Property Owners: In some instances, property owners can be held accountable for side-by-side collisions on their property. If they neglect to maintain their land or fail to alert drivers to potential hazards, property owners that permit UTV operation may be held accountable for accidents.
- Employer: To transport products or access working places that would not otherwise be accessible, many people use side-by-sides at work. An employer might be liable for an accident if employees suffer injuries in a side-by-side accident while at work.
Legal Assistance:
Side-by-side automobiles have several characteristics that can leave them open to danger. Therefore, it might be best to engage a local car accident attorney if you need to file an accident automobile case.
You can get assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney for the process of preparing and filing any required legal documents. Additionally, your attorney can review local laws about your case. Moreover, your attorney will be able to represent you if you need to go to a court hearing or any event connected to your case.
Final Thoughts:
Following your accident, you might have severe consequences. You may be able to receive cash compensation for your pain and suffering by filing a claim for a side-by-side accident. Money won’t make the difficulties you’ve endured disappear or take away your symptoms, but you can utilize the settlement money to start over.