Florida offers countless opportunities for recreation for tourists and residents alike, on both land and water. Recreational activities are available almost year-round for fun and enjoyment, but they carry risks as well. A person operating a recreational vehicle negligently could be liable for the injuries they cause. In the case of a dangerous or defective vehicle, a manufacturer, retailer, or a business that rents out such vehicles could be liable for injuries and damages. An experienced Florida recreational vehicle accident lawyer can review your case and fight to recover compensation for you.
Types of Recreational Vehicles
Recreational vehicles in Florida literally come in all shapes and sizes. Boating has been a popular pastime for much of the state’s history, using the waters alongside commercial boating operations. On land, people in Florida enjoy motorcycles, scooters, and all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s). Recreational vehicles, commonly known as RV’s or campers, are frequently seen on Florida’s roads.
RV’s and Campers
RV’s and similar vehicles tend to be larger than other cars on the road, and require careful driving and handling. A person driving an RV typically does not need any training or certification beyond a basic state driver’s license, but must still exercise due care in operating the vehicle.
Because of their size, RV’s often cause significant amounts of damage in an accident. This is comparable to damage caused by a bus or other large form of public transportation. All drivers should exercise caution on the road, but RV’s in particular have a duty to drive carefully and safely.
All-Terrain Vehicles
Florida law requires anyone under the age of 16 riding an ATV to wear a helmet and eye protection. The state does not require ATV owners to register their vehicles, but it does require them to have title documents. ATV’s can be very dangerous, given that they are most enjoyable in rugged areas. Between 1982 and 2010, at least 465 people in Florida died in ATV-related accidents. Of that number, more than one hundred were children under the age of 16.
Anyone operating an ATV has the same responsibilities as someone driving a car: they must drive safely and obey all applicable laws. People who, through negligence, violate this duty of care and cause an accident are liable if anyone is injured or killed. Damages can include an injured person’s medical expenses, lost wages from missed time at work due to injuries, costs of rehabilitation and other treatment, future medical expenses, and compensation for an injured person’s pain and suffering.
If an ATV fails to operate properly because of a defective condition, then the company that produces it could be liable under the theory of products liability. This applies to products sold to the public that are defective in their design or manufacturing.
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The Deerfield Beach injury attorneys at Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. represent people in the Palm Beach and Broward County who have been injured in automobile and other vehicle accidents. Contact the firm through this website or by calling us at 954-428-9333 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case.
