Off-roading is a recreational activity that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, but the risk of injury is greater when driving across rough and rocky terrain. Arizona is one of the leading states for deaths in off-road accidents. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) latest report, from 2016 through 2018, there were 2,211 deaths in the United States associated with OHVs, which include all-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles, and utility-terrain vehicles. As for injuries, data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) shows that from 2007 to 2012, there were more than 1,570 dirt bike riding injuries involving extremity fractures.
Injuries sustained while riding a dirt bike can be painful, life-altering, or even fatal, whether racing motocross or traversing trails in the woods.
Most dirt bike riders share similar traits; the average rider is a white male under the age of 30. He has less than a college education and lives in a non-metropolitan area. The majority of accidents on dirt bikes happen to children and teens. Arizona’s wide-open areas provide an ideal off-road experience, making the possibility of such crashes an ongoing concern for local families.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious or fatal injury while riding a dirt bike, Phillips Law Group may be able to help. Victims of off-roading injuries may be eligible to receive compensation. Our personal injury attorneys can help determine whether you may have a valid case. We are ready to handle this case on your behalf.
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Dirt Bike Accident Statistics
Most states do not impose a minimum age requirement for operating off-road vehicles, and Arizona is among them. Unfortunately, the age group most susceptible to dirt bike accidents is those under 19 years of age. According to the CDC, over 23,000 children and teens are treated for nonfatal injuries due to off-roading each year.
Some statistics about off-roading injuries and deaths in this age group include (data from years 2001-2004):
- Increase in injury rate by 33.7 percent (2001-2004)
- Over 88 percent of patients were male
- Nearly 70 percent of nonfatal injuries occurred in patients 16 and under
- 12 to 15-year-olds had the highest rate of nonfatal injuries
- More than 70 percent of accidents were in a natural setting, vs. 20 percent in motocross
- Motocross accidents led to more instances of hospitalization vs. natural settings
- Almost 9 percent of motocross accidents involved jumping maneuvers
- About 5 percent of motocross accidents involved another off-road vehicle
- Nearly 40 percent of initial diagnoses involved fractures or internal trauma
- Over 60 percent of patients suffered an injury in an extremity
- Over 35 percent of injuries in an extremity were fractures
- More than 15 percent of cases involved head or neck trauma as the primary injury
- Nearly 50 percent of head and neck injuries involved internal head trauma
Even though Arizona provides some off-road vehicle laws specific to children and teens under 18, many accidents may still be prevented with the adoption of legal age requirements for operators. This view is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which announced in the early 2000s that they recommend parents do not allow children under 16 to participate in off-road driving.
There is a variety of injuries that can be caused by dirt bike accidents. If your teenager or child has been hurt while participating in off-roading activities, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to find out if you have a case.
Injuries Sustained in Accidents Involving Dirt Bikes
Although dirt bikes tend to travel at speeds much slower than traditional motorbikes, the terrain where these vehicles are typically ridden presents other risks for danger. Common causes for injury include collisions with other riders, falls during jumps, naturally occurring obstacles, and inconsistent terrain.
Dirt bike accidents often result in the following types of injury:
- Limb damage
- Head or neck trauma
- Torso damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Concussion
- Abrasions & contusions
- Lacerations
- Internal injury
- Strains and sprains
- Burns
The most common injuries are to the arm, head, or neck, accounting for nearly 60 percent of injuries, according to the CPSC. Contusions or abrasions are the next most common, with fractures, sprains, and strains coming in as the third most common injuries.
In 2011, according to the CPSC, over 85 percent of patients admitted for an off-roading-related accident were treated and released; however, the remaining 13 percent may have sustained a serious injury or even death.
Contact Our Attorneys Today
If you or someone you care about has sustained serious or fatal injuries while riding a dirt bike, you may be eligible to pursue compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death case. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group have the knowledge and experience to determine whether you may have a case, and you can find out about your legal options today for free.
We put our resources and dedication behind each and every one of our cases, providing our clients with personal attention and care. Our legal team is here to defend your rights, and we are proud of our proven track record earned by representing clients like you.
We offer comprehensive legal services to clients throughout the state of Arizona through our offices in Tucson and Phoenix. We welcome legal inquiries from our neighbors in the following communities:
- Chandler
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