Marcos Saucedo, 17, sustained fatal personal injuries after the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) that he was riding crashed. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal crash occurred the night of June 26, 2010 on Eagle Valley Road in Corona. Marcos lost control of the ATV and crashed the vehicle into a tree off the roadway. Officials are still looking into what caused this fatal ATV accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Marcos Saucedo for their shocking, untimely and devastating loss. Please keep his grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

ATV Accident Statistics

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2008, ATV accidents caused 410 fatalities and 135,000 injuries that had to be treated in emergency rooms. The dramatic increase in ATV crashes over the last five years or so may be attributed to the increasing popularity of all-terrain and off-road vehicles.

ATV crashes are more prevalent among teens and adolescents and often result in catastrophic injuries. According to a recent study by Dr. Gary Smith of the Children’s Hospital in Ohio, one-third of the injured ATV accident victims are usually 16 years old or younger.

Should Your Teen Ride an ATV?

ATV use is quite common among teens and children, and they are the ones most frequently injured in these accidents. The problem with ATVs is that, contrary to popular belief, they are not designed for children. They are inherently unstable and pose the hazard of rolling over and crushing the rider. This incident is yet another reminder for all of us that young people should never be allowed to operate an ATV without the supervision of an adult.

In my opinion, it is best that children under the age of 16 not drive or ride ATVs. These are machines that can not only travel at speeds of more than 100 mph, but they also run on rough or uneven terrain. This, combined with possible product defects, make ATVs deadly, especially in the hands of the young and inexperienced.

As far as possible, please do not allow your children to ride an ATV. If they must, please make sure they are closely supervised. Ensure that they are wearing all safety gear. Do not allow any passengers. Make sure they have had the necessary training to operate these vehicles. And finally, no one should operate an ATV while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Please be safe out there this summer. If you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV accident due to a product defect, please seek the counsel of an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer who will advise you about your legal rights and options.

As a parent, what are your major concerns about your child riding an ATV? Would you allow your child or teenager to operate an ATV?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.