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Three Injured In ATV Accident In North Florida

By Eddie Farah

One man is in critical condition in North Florida following an all terrain vehicle (ATV) crash Sunday morning.

St. Johns County deputies are trying to figure out what caused the Arctic Cat recreational vehicle to overturn on a private dirt road on Bartram Air Park property off County Road 13 in northwest St. Johns.

All three men were riding the ATV when it rolled.

Emergency crews responding to the scene do not know who was driving, but all three were injured. 39-year-old Ronald Drawdy of St. Augustine was the most seriously injured. He was taken to Shands Jacksonville and is in critical condition.

One person was treated at the scene and a third, William Byrd, 37, of St. Augustine was taken to Flagler Hospital by emergency crews. At this time it is suspected that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash and none of the men was wearing his seatbelt.

Even the manufacturers warn that ATVs are not toys. You are told to always wear proper protective gear, including a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. You are told not to carry passengers unless the ATV is specifically engineered to accommodate them. And of course excess speeds, stunt riding, unknown terrain, drugs or alcohol are all discouraged as part of the basic package when you purchase one of these ATVs.

If indeed alcohol was involved and three men were riding one vehicle, this accident could well be due to negligent operation. If you have not been negligent in the operation of an ATV, your accident could be due to a design defect as many models have been recalled over the years.

These ATV are very popular. Since their introduction about 40 years ago, part of the appeal is the amount of danger one undertakes while riding. With no true center of gravity, the three-wheeler was an accident waiting to happen. When the industry converted to four-wheelers, it was thought that accidents would decrease but the safety of the four-wheeler is still a concern within the industry.

In 2006, federal statistics show 8,100 lost their lives in ATV accidents, 349 in Florida alone.

Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, permanent disability, and death, can result from ATVs that can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and go 75 mph.

We wish a very speedy recovery for the men injured in this ATV mishap. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on August 09, 2009 (boomark / email).