Welcome to the ATV and Boating Accident webpage for Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney. We treat each client that comes to our Binghamton, N.Y. office with care and respect. If you have been injured in a New York State ATV or boating accident, there are some things you need to know.
ATV Accidents
All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are three or four-wheeled motorized used for off-road riding. They have gained enormous popularity in the last decade. In many ways, these vehicles are ideal for recreation, rescue efforts, and quick, easy transportation in off-road areas. However, in the last 20 years, more than 6,000 fatalities have occurred from injuries associated with ATVs, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The group estimates that at least 30 percent of all the people involved in ATV accidents are children.
When ATVs first entered the market in the 1970s, they were three-wheelers, and there were virtually no safety standards. The vehicles were involved in so many rollovers and injuries that the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit alleging that ATVs and their manufacturers violated the Consumer Product Safety Act. In 1987, the ATV manufacturers agreed to stop producing three-wheeled ATVs, but did not recall the 2.4 million defective ones that had been already sold. Many of these extremely dangerous ATVs remain in use today.
Some ATV accidents are caused by manufacturing defects in the ATV itself. In legal terms, "manufacturing defects" are flaws in the manufacturing process that result in injuries. "Failure to warn" describes a situation in which a manufacturer knows of a hazard regarding the product and does not warn consumers about it. "Design defects" are errors in the product design that make the vehicle dangerous. Hundreds of thousands of ATVs have been recalled since 2000.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an ATV accident and it was due to someone's negligence or a mechanical defect, you may be able to be compensated for your loss. Some things can never be replaced, but through the legal process you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, loss of earning and future loss of earnings. In the extremely unfortunate event that a death has occurred as a result of the accident, you can file a
wrongful death suit.
Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney has years of experience helping those who have been injured in ATV accidents.
Contact us today for a free case review.
Boating Accidents
Most boat crashes require that you send a report to either the state agency regulating boats or the U.S. Coast Guard. In the state of New York, you must file a report if the boat crash involved injuries that needed more than first aid, or if there was damage to any property above a certain amount. This is important. Failure to remain on the scene, provide aid, and report the accident in a timely manner is a crime. We also recommend that you report the incident to your insurance company. This is a requirement if a state or federal report was made.
Recreational boat crashes are governed by a number of city, county and state laws. Most boat operators have a legal obligation to operate their watercraft in a safe manner. If they do not, there may be criminal charges, and the people who were injured may be entitled to sue for damages. Boat owners also need to be careful about allowing other people to drive their boat. No matter who is driving, if the boat is in an accident, the boat owner may be liable for the damages.
If you have been injured in any kind of boat
crash that was someone else’s fault, you have the right to be compensated for a
wide range of things, including property damage, medical expenses, lost wages,
injury and pain and suffering. In the extremely unfortunate event that a death
has resulted from your accident, you can file a
wrongful death suit.
A competent boating accident lawyer can make sure everything gets done right. A lawyer can also make things much easier for you by negotiating with insurance companies and guiding you through the legal process.
Experience Counts. Our overall goal is to
establish our office as the best office to hire if you want compensation for
your case. We base this on our experience and past results.
We can also help you with other legal problems that arise while your case is pending.
Our philosophy is to provide quality legal services while treating each client with care and respect. If you feel that you or a loved one has suffered due to an ATV or boating accident, call our 24-hour answering service at (607) 724-7700 or contact us via our
online contact form. All calls and inquiries are responded to the same day, usually within one hour. There is no case-review cost.
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