ATVs and UTVs are growing in popularity in Kentucky and not just out in the countryside or up in the mountains, but in urban areas as well. If you drive the streets and highways in just about any part of the state, you see people riding their ATVs on the streets with traffic. This increase in usage has also caused an increase in crashes and, unfortunately, serious injuries and fatalities.
Kentucky ATV Crashes Leave One Dead, One Critical in Two Days
In two separate accidents in 24 hours, one person has died and three others were injured. On Saturday, May 2, 2020, a juvenile was airlifted to the University of Lousiville Hospital after being thrown from an ATV driven by an 18-year-old man.
The crash happened KY-544 when the driver lost control, hit a tree and the ATV flipped several times. The driver wasn’t seriously injured and has been arrested on charges of DUI
The next day, the driver of an ATV riding on Left Fork Blackberry Road between the towns of Phelps and McVeigh left the road, hit a guardrail and flipped over on its top in a creek. The operator was taken to the hospital, and his condition is unknown at this time. The passenger was seriously injured and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
ATV Insurance and Liability
In Kentucky, it’s illegal to ride an ATV on the roads and streets, however, it’s done so often in many places law enforcement doesn’t’ bother to give out tickets. The law does require the ATVs to be licensed, but there are no registration or ongoing safety inspections required.
Because ATVs are not vehicles—even if they have been outfitted with turn signals, headlights, and brake lights—they are not covered under someone’s auto insurance policy. This means that if you get into a wreck with your ATV and you injure someone, you have no liability insurance and will have to pay for the injuries out of your own pocket.
Homeowners Insurance
If you are on your property, or off-road and not on public streets or roads, the operator’s homeowner’s insurance might cover the victim’s injuries. This depends on the homeowner’s policy and who was driving at the time of the accident.
ATV Insurance
If the operator took out an ATV/UTV insurance policy, this might cover some of the injuries if the operator negligently injured someone while riding the ATV. Most ATV riders don’t carry this as they mistakenly believe that if they are out on the roads and get into a wreck, their auto insurance will cover.
At Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, we understand how frustrating it is to be injured due to someone else’s negligence and then get told there is no insurance to cover the damages. We have experience representing clients with ATV injuries and know where to look for compensation.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Accident victims often wonder if they need an attorney, and the answer is almost always yes. The insurance company agents have years of experience and are good at their job which is to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. You need someone just as experienced to help you level the field.
Talk to a Louisville Personal Injury Attorney you can trust to be on your side and get you what is yours under the law. 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.
