Philadelphia Recreational Vehicle Attorneys

RV Accident Attorneys

Recreation is a broad term that refers to any activity in which people engage for fun. While it encompasses intellectually stimulating interests such as reading, it is more often used to describe outdoor endeavors (as in “parks and rec”). There are many kinds of vehicles that are associated with these pursuits, some of the riskiest being ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and motorhomes. Operators, passengers, bystanders, and others have been seriously injured or killed by these machines.

ATVs

The Keystone State offers All-Terrain Vehicle riding on a number of terrains, including 250 miles of dedicated trails in state forests. An enjoyable pastime for the whole family, it’s important to remember that ATVs are not toys, and it takes skill to ride them safely. Today’s quads are heavier, faster, and more powerful than they used to be, with some current models weighing more than 400 pounds, capable of 100 miles per hour, and boasting engines of more than 600cc.

Between 1982 and 2014, more than 13,600 people nationwide lost their lives in ATV-related crashes. Pennsylvania ranked behind only California and Texas for number of deaths, at 682, and that number could rise as reporting is still ongoing. Those who survive an ATV crash often suffer severe internal injuries or paralysis. In 2014, there were an estimated 93,700 ATV-related, emergency department-treated injuries, 26 percent of which involved children younger than age 16.

Dirt Bikes

Like ATVs, dirt bikes are not allowed on the road, but that doesn’t seem to stop riders from taking chances. The latest movie in Philly’s beloved Rocky series, “Creed,” even used kids on dirt bikes and quads in the customary training montage. Locals have struggled with these machines and their riders for years, with Philadelphia authorities confiscating more than 100 dirt bikes and ATVs this year alone. Zipping through traffic creates a hazardous situation for motorists and pedestrians, and chasing them can make the riders more dangerous – even to themselves. Just this November, a dirt bike collided with the squad car at Torresdale Avenue and Howell Street in Wissinoming, sending the operator to the hospital with two broken legs and a fractured skull.

Snowmobiles

Snowmobilers in Pennsylvania have to register their machines with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources whether they are going to use it exclusively on their own property or not. Snowmobiles operated off the owner’s private property also need to be covered by liability insurance. If you are on a snowmobile, you are required to wear a helmet. Those 16 or older can ride a snowmobile without any license or training, though a safety course is recommended. These are just a few of the regulations aimed at increasing snowmobile safety. Each year, snowmobiles crash with fixed objects, other snowmobiles, cars, and more, primarily due to unsafe speed and intoxication.

Mortorhomes

Popup campers, camper vans, fifth wheels, and motorhomes all fall under the recreational vehicle (RV) category that we often think of packing the family into for the quintessential American vacation. While they are enjoyable, they are also dangerous. With long braking distances, poor maneuverability, and behemoth size, they can prove hard to handle. It can be easy to overload these vehicles, to roll them over due to their higher center of gravity, to not see objects in the large blind spots, and to have trouble with navigating narrow roads or tight turns. Drivers who are inexperienced, older, tired, or distracted add to the hazard.

We Can Help

If you were involved in a recreational vehicle accident, it is in your best interest to hire legal representation. Trust your case to the skilled recreational injury attorneys at Wapner Newman. We have the resources and experience to fight for you. For almost four decades, we have been the trusted advocates for countless personal injury victims and their families throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We offer risk-free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means that we do not require you to pay any fees until we have secured a recovery on your behalf. We encourage you to contact us today by calling 1-800-LAW-6600 or filling out a free case evaluation form. Let us help you.