Understanding All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Accidents in Ottawa
All terrain vehicles (ATVs) are motorized off-roading vehicles that can travel very quickly on very rough terrain, and because drivers like you have nothing but their helmets for protection when they’re four-wheeling, accidents can be very dangerous. When you’re on the trails with other enthusiasts, the risk of being in an accident increases – especially if those other drivers fail to make safety their top priority.
Requirements for the Use of the ATV in Ottawa
In order to operate an ATV in Ottawa – and throughout Ontario – all the following must apply:
- The ATV must be registered with the Ministry of Transportation.
- You must be at least 16 years old and have at least a valid G2 or M2 driver’s licence
- A helmet must be part of your safety gear when you ride.
- You need to maintain your ATV in good working condition.
- You must adhere to the rules in relation to where you can and cannot ride – ATVs are generally banned on public roads.
Common Causes of ATV Accidents
While every ATV accident is unique to the related specifics, Statistics Canada shares that the majority of fatal ATV accidents break down into the following classifications:
- 45 percent are caused by rollovers.
- 16 percent are caused by collisions with stationary objects.
- 12 percent are caused by ejections.
- 3 percent are caused by submersions.
When it comes to the root cause of these dangerous accidents, speeding, impairment, or both are often to blame. If you’re involved in an ATV or snowmobile accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s time to consult with a formidable ATV accident lawyer.
Types of Injuries from ATV Accidents
Virtually any kind of serious injury is possible in an ATV accident, but some of the most common include the following:
- Injuries to the lower legs, such as broken bones, burns, and cuts
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries, including internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash
ATV accidents are closely associated with very serious injuries.
How the ATV Accident Claims Process Goes
If you are injured by someone else’s negligence in an ATV accident, you will seek compensation for your medical and rehab costs as well as your income replacement benefits through your own insurance provider. Ontario is what is known as a no-fault province, and no-fault coverage is built into every insurance policy. Further, anyone who rides an ATV off of their private property is required to carry insurance.
If your injuries are more serious and meet the legal threshold, you can file your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider. If the injuries you suffered in the ATV accident qualify as catastrophic, you may be entitled to more comprehensive coverage through your own policy and can pursue compensation for pain and suffering through the at-fault party’s provider.
The claims process involves all the following important steps:
- Gathering the evidence necessary to prove the other driver’s negligence and the full extent of your losses
- Building a solid claim that is difficult for the involved insurance company to deny
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a favourable resolution that supports your full recovery
- Being well prepared to take your case to an Ontario court if the insurance company will not agree to a fair settlement through negotiation
A trusted personal injury lawyer will skillfully handle each of the tasks in this complex process on your behalf.
Accident Benefits and Compensation
Accident benefits available through Ontario’s no-fault coverage include medical rehabilitation expenses, and income replacement. If, however, you suffer more serious injuries in an ATV accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have an ATV accident claim against them and can pursue compensation in each of the following categories:
- The cost of the medical attention you need, which can include rehabilitation expenses – and for very serious injuries, may require assistance with the activities of daily living and housekeeping expenses
- Your lost income, which may need to address lost earning potential into the future
- Your physical and emotional pain and suffering, which – in the aftermath of a violent ATV accident – can make your other losses pale in comparison
Our compassionate legal team understands how profoundly your life can be affected by an ATV accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, and we will spare no effort in our quest to obtain maximum compensation from your tort claim. Your personal injury case is important to your future, and the Ottawa personal injury lawyers at our esteemed law firm are standing by to help.
Get Help from Ottawa ATV Accident Lawyers
The practiced Ottawa ATV accident lawyers at Burn Tucker Lachaîne recognize the financial burden you face as the victim of an ATV accident, and our focus is on fiercely advocating for a fair settlement that affords you the compensation to which you’re entitled and that you deserve. We have the experience and legal insight to help guide your claim toward a beneficial resolution, and we encourage you to reach out and contact or call us at 613-233-6898 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you today.
February 3, 2025 
Personal Injury 
