Every year people get seriously injured or die using an ATV. Many ATV accidents are because of operator error, but a few happen because of the negligence of other riders, rental businesses, and property owners.
If you live in Columbia, MO, and you’ve been injured in an ATV accident, call Dickman Law for a free consultation. We’ll explain your legal options and help you get more compensation for your injuries through an insurance claim or a lawsuit than you could on your own.
How Much Could I Collect?
Every case is unique, but here’s how we estimate the value of a case. First, we create a list of how your accident has harmed you. Your medical bills are just one part of that. You can also get money for lost wages, rehabilitation, repair of your ATV, and more. These financial losses are called economic damages.
There are also non-economic damages like pain and suffering. These are often a multiple of the economic damages. How large depends on how your accident has affected you and the negotiating skills of your lawyer.
In rare cases, like if someone deliberately rammed you with their ATV, you could get punitive damages from the court as additional compensation. After listing out all the damages, our lawyers use past cases and any evidence of financial harm, like a bill, to calculate how much you could get.
For a free legal consultation with a atv accidents lawyer serving Columbia, call 573-744-4878
How Long do I Have to File My Claim?
Missouri has a generous five-year statute of limitations for personal injury, but it is wise not to wait too long to file. First, if you breach the statute of limitations, you cannot recover damages in court. This removes the threat of a lawsuit and gives the insurance company leverage.
Also, evidence and memory can disappear or change as time passes. The best time to start your case is as soon as you’ve been diagnosed with an injury. That gives your Columbia, MO, ATV accident attorney more time to investigate and raise the value of your claim.
Columbia ATV Accident Lawyer Near Me 573-744-4878
What to Do at the Scene of the Accident
The first thing to do in any accident is to call 911 for medical help and to make an accident report to the police. Even if you do not need to go to a hospital, see a doctor as soon as possible after your accident to get checked up. This is important for your health and for your settlement.
While you wait for the police to arrive, use your phone to take a video of the scene and your injuries. This evidence could prove things like dangerous riding conditions or problems with the ATV that show you weren’t at fault for the accident.
Also, if there are witnesses, get their contact information. Do not ask them about the accident, though. Just get their contact information. Talking with witnesses about what they saw can damage their testimony later.
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What if I’m Partially At-Fault?
There may be pushback from the insurance company about your claim because many riders act recklessly before crashing. They may try to say you’re partially responsible for the accident. If you are, here’s what happens.
Missouri uses a pure comparative negligence system. This means that both sides may receive some compensation. Even if you were 80% responsible, you could receive compensation for the other 20% that wasn’t your fault.
You can get compensation through pure comparative fault if you’re not 100% at fault. Part of your lawyer’s work is to counter claims you were at fault so you get the most money you can from your settlement. Don’t argue with the insurance company. Let our Columbia, MO, ATV accident lawyers do it for you.
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ATV Safety
People use ATVs for recreation, rescue, farm work, and more. They are motor vehicles and can injure or kill anyone involved in an accident. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that over 700 people are killed yearly in ATV accidents, many of them young children.
Over 100,000 riders are injured in accidents, and many of the injured are intoxicated at the time of the crash. Riding an ATV off public roads doesn’t mean drinking and driving is safer. You’re far more likely to get into a rollover accident that can kill or permanently injure you.
Never ride while intoxicated or recklessly, and be careful using them on the pavement. ATV wheels are not designed for paved roads. If an insurance company believes that you were responsible for your accident, you’ll have trouble getting the compensation you need after your accident. You could even receive nothing.
Speak with an ATV Accident Lawyer in Columbia, MO for Free
An ATV accident could leave you with permanent injuries, including traumatic brain injury. Whether it’s because of another rider’s negligence, someone’s dangerous backyard course, or even a manufacturer’s error, Dickman Law can help you get compensation.
Find out how we can help you with a free case evaluation and consultation. Call us today at the number on your screen or reach out to us online. We look forward to helping you get the compensation you deserve after your ATV accident.
Call or text 573-744-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form