A young girl’s life ended much too soon when she died after an ATV accident in McDavid, Florida in October 2011. According to fox10tv.com, the 9-year-old was riding on an ATV with two others when it struck an embankment and flipped. Her family put her in their car and drove several miles to a fire station. A medical helicopter transported her to Sacred Heart Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead from her injuries.
The other two riders in the ATV accident did not suffer any injuries. Florida law says that you must be at least 16-years-old to operate an ATV. According to the report, the law does not apply because the fatal crash occurred on private land. Authorities will not file charges in the accident.
Different factors can lead to fatal ATV rollover accidents like this one. An ATV’s unstable design, high center of gravity or driver error can contribute to fatal crashes. Operators should know that ATVs are not a toy and they are not made for multiple riders. Like motorcycles, operators should wear protective gear, which can minimize injury during a rollover accident.
What do you think of the law that prevents officials from filing charges because the accident occurred on private land?