New Data on Off-Road Vehicle Danger
When we think about motor vehicle accidents, we typically picture crashes involving cars, trucks, or motorcycles. But there’s another group of vehicles that’s often overlooked…and just as dangerous: off-highway vehicles (OHVs). These include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs). A recent report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) highlights the growing safety concerns surrounding these vehicles.
From 2019 to 2023, an estimated 509,900 people in the U.S. were treated in emergency rooms for OHV-related injuries. That’s more than 100,000 injuries per year, with spikes in 2020 and 2021. The most common injuries included fractures, head trauma, and internal organ damage. Children and young adults, especially those aged 12 to 34, accounted for a disproportionately high number of injuries.
Even more concerning, a follow-up study on 2023 injury cases showed that:
- In 63% of accidents, the OHV overturned.
- In 78%, the rider was ejected.
- Helmet use was reported in only 29% of cases.
- Most injuries occurred on flat and dry terrain—conditions that might seem safe.
It wasn’t just injuries. Between 2019 and 2021, there were 2,577 reported fatalities linked to OHVs. The majority involved ATVs, and most victims were male. Surprisingly, nearly one-third of the deaths occurred in adults aged 55 and older. Fatal incidents frequently involved rollovers or collisions, often where the rider was ejected from the vehicle.
These vehicles may be used off-road, but they are far from risk-free. Whether you're a rider, a passenger, or even a bystander, accidents involving OHVs can result in life-altering injuries or fatalities. Many victims and their families are unaware that they may have legal recourse, especially in cases where:
- The vehicle was defective
- Safety equipment failed
- The accident occurred on private property lacking proper warnings or barriers
- A rider was inexperienced or underage
As legal professionals, our job is to advocate for victims and ensure that manufacturers, property owners, and other responsible parties are held accountable when safety is compromised. If you have been injured in an OHV, motorcycle or motor vehicle accident in the Philadelphia region, or a loved one is the victim of a traffic fatality, you may want to talk to a top Philadelphia car accident law firm to weigh your legal options. Please contact us to set a time to meet with no obligation and no consultation fee.