Children and ATVs

 As the summer months enter into full swing, a quick warning about the dangers of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). When used appropriately and with proper safety precautions, ATVs can be an enjoyable form of recreation. However, when used inappropriately, these vehicles pose a great risk for catastrophic injury, including TBI (traumatic brain injury).

A recent Newsweek article focuses on children and teenagers’ use of ATVs. Doctors say that children don’t have the cognitive skills, size, or strength required to operate these machines. Dr. Denise Dowd, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ injury prevention-committee, explains, “One can argue that ATVs are even more difficult to drive than a car,” citing the need to repeatedly shift weight during operation. https://askcompetentlawyer.com/ The article highlights the experience of then 15-year-old B.J. Smith. Traveling at 60 miles per hour, Smith clipped a dog with his front tires. Smith then flew around 25 feet in the air, hitting his head on a sidewalk as he landed on the ground. "His brain was so swollen they had to cut out a piece of his skull," recalls his mother. "He's my only child. It was absolutely horrible." Today, Smith lives with the consequences of a TBI.