ATV Accident Statistics

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a popular choice for both recreational and work-related activities, offering excitement and utility to riders of all ages. However, the thrill of ATV riding comes with significant risks. Each year, thousands of individuals are injured or even killed in ATV accidents.

Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident statistics, highlighting the risks and safety concerns associated with ATV use. We explore general statistics on injuries and fatalities, focusing on common causes and types of injuries, such as spinal and brain injuries.

We also discuss the importance of ATV safety measures, including helmet use, and the consequences of non-compliance. Additionally, we explore children’s vulnerability, the issue of underreporting accidents, alcohol-related fatalities, state regulations, and the growing ATV market.

This provides a thorough examination of both the dangers and the regulatory landscape surrounding all-terrain vehicle use.

General ATV Accident Statistics

The North American ATV and UTV market is expected to grow from $8.52 billion in 2023 to $13.6 billion by 2028, an increase of 7.64%.

The increasing popularity of recreational activities and the use of all-terrain and utility task vehicles in agriculture and other industries are driving this growth. The market is dominated by major players such as Polaris, Yamaha, and Honda [1]​​​.

In 2011, there were an estimated 107,500 ATV-related injuries treated in emergency departments across the US.

The majority of those injured were non-life-threatening, with 87% of the victims being treated and released. However, the high incidence of injuries highlights the inherent risks associated with all-terrain vehicle use, particularly when ATV safety rules are not followed [2].

If you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV accident, an experienced ATV accident lawyer from our team can help you understand your rights.

Almost 75% of ATV accidents result in spinal cord and brain injuries.

The lack of safety equipment like seat belts and the high likelihood of rollovers make head and spinal injuries particularly common ATV injuries. ATV injury statistics reveal that wearing helmets and other protective gear can reduce some of these risks, but the fundamental design of ATVs still poses significant dangers [2].

29% of ATV-related injuries occur to the arms, while the head and neck account for another 28%.

The open design of ATVs leaves riders vulnerable to injuries in these areas. Wearing protective gear, such as a long-sleeved shirt, helmet, and gloves, can help reduce the severity of these injuries [2].

69% of states allow ATVs on specific roads under certain conditions.

Despite ATVs being primarily off-highway vehicles, many states permit their use on certain roads, potentially increasing the risk of an accident due to their instability on paved surfaces. This contributes to the high number of ATV accidents and injuries reported annually [2].

Helmet use is associated with a 64% reduction in non-fatal head injuries.

The risk of fatal injury is reduced by 42% when helmets are worn, and it is reduced by 15% when they are not. Compliance with helmet use varies widely in studies, ranging from 30% to 70% [3].

To further reduce the risk of injuries, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots is recommended, though adherence to these recommendations also varies.

96% of pediatric ATV crash victims were riding recreationally at the time of their accident.

Recreational riding, often involving high speeds and risky maneuvers, significantly contributes to ATV-related injuries and fatalities. Ensuring children are properly trained and supervised while riding can help reduce these incidents [4].

In 2023, there were 291 ATV deaths.

Of those, nearly 67%, or 194, occurred on-road [5]. Due to its design, an all-terrain vehicle is inherently dangerous. It is prone to rollovers and difficult to control, especially on paved surfaces.

This highlights the need for strict ATV safety measures, including helmet use, proper training, and adherence to age restrictions. Alcohol-related fatalities further emphasize the importance of sober riding.

ATV Death Statistics

The majority of ATV-related deaths involve the driver.

Estimates for 2023 point to 229 such deaths recorded, making up 78.7% of the total ATV-related deaths. There were 36 fatalities among passengers, accounting for 12.4% of the total, while pedestrian fatalities are relatively rare in ATV accidents, with only 3 recorded incidents in 2023, representing 1.0% of the total.

One fatality (0.3%) included other individuals involved in the accidents, while there were 22 deaths related to ATVs where the role of the person was not specified, constituting 7.6% of the total. [5]

A significant majority, or 80.1%, of ATV fatalities are male.

Data on ATV accident deaths from 2023 reveals that 84.9% of those deaths were drivers, 8.6% were passengers, and 5.6% involved victims with unknown roles in the accident. [5]

The age group with the highest ATV fatality rate is 0-15 years, with 54 fatalities (18.6% of the total).

2023 data reveals that 57.4% of this group were drivers, 31.5% were passengers, and 9.3% were in unknown roles.

Those aged 30-39 years, who represent 13.4% of fatalities, and individuals aged 20-29 years, making up 13.1%, rank second and third, respectively. The 40-49 and 50-59 age groups each account for 12.4% of the fatalities, while those aged 60-69 years constitute 9.6%.

Fatalities among individuals of unknown age make up 8.2%, while the 16-19 age group accounts for 7.9%. The lowest percentage of deaths related to ATVs is found in the 70+ age group, comprising 4.5% of the total. [5]

Only 2.4% of the individuals involved in ATV rider deaths were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

In contrast, 18.2% were not wearing a helmet. Notably, a significant majority of the cases, 79.4%, had unknown helmet usage status. [5]

The vast majority of ATV rider deaths, 73.5%, result from single-vehicle crashes.

Crashes involving on-road vehicles account for 14.8% of the fatalities, while those involving off-road vehicles represent 2.7%. Collisions with animals resulted in 1.7% of the fatalities, and crashes involving pedestrians accounted for 0.7%. In 6.5% of the cases, the crash type was unknown. [5]

53.3% of single-vehicle ATV crashes involve a rollover.

Of these rollover crashes, 65.8% occurred on roads, 29.8% off-road, and 4.4% in unknown conditions.

Single-vehicle crashes not involving rollovers accounted for 23.8% of the fatalities, while 22.9% of the single-vehicle crash fatalities had an unknown rollover status. [5]

46.5% of ATV single-vehicle fatalities involving rollovers involved occupants who were pinned or struck by the vehicle.

Among these, the age group 0-15 years accounted for 28.3% of the total, followed by the 50-59 age group at 24.5%, and both the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups at 11.3%.

Conversely, 17.5% of the fatalities involved occupants who were not pinned or struck by the vehicle, while 36.0% of the fatalities had an unknown status regarding whether the occupant was pinned or struck. [5]

June has the highest percentage of ATV fatalities at 13.1%.

July follows closely at 12.7%. May and April also show high fatality rates, with 10.3% and 10.7%, respectively.

The lowest percentages are seen in February and December, each with 3.4% of the total fatalities. [5]

The highest percentage of ATV-related deaths occur on Saturdays, accounting for 28.2%

Sundays also see a significant number of fatalities, with 18.2%. Mondays have 13.4% of the fatalities, followed by Fridays at 11.7% and Wednesdays at 11.3%. Tuesdays and Thursdays have the lowest percentages, with 9.3% and 7.9%, respectively. [5]

Florida has the highest percentage of fatalities at 6.9% in 2023.

This is followed by Wisconsin at 6.2%, and Kentucky at 5.5%.

Texas accounts for 4.8% of the fatalities, while Alabama, California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania each represent 4.5%. Minnesota has 4.1% of the fatalities, and both Georgia and New York account for 3.8%.

Missouri follows with 3.4%, and Louisiana has 3.1%. Other notable states include South Carolina, which has 2.7%, Mississippi and Virginia, both at 2.4%, and Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and West Virginia, each at 2.1%.

The states with the fewest fatalities, each accounting for 0.3%, include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Wyoming.

States with no recorded fatalities include Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC. [5]

29% of fatally injured ATV riders had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

Alcoholic beverages impair judgment and response time, significantly increasing the risk of accidents and fatalities. All riders must avoid drinking alcohol while using an ATV to ensure safety [6].

FAQ

What is the most common cause of injury with ATVs?

The most common cause of injury with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is rollovers. These accidents often occur due to the vehicle’s high center of gravity and narrow wheelbase, which make it prone to tipping, especially on uneven or steep terrain.

Which type of injury is responsible for most ATV deaths?

Head injuries are responsible for most ATV-related deaths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data indicates the lack of helmet use is a significant factor in fatal accidents involving an all-terrain vehicle.

Severe head trauma from rollovers or collisions is often fatal, underscoring the importance of wearing helmets and eye protection. To mitigate these risks, public health initiatives and hands-on training programs emphasize the use of proper safety equipment.

How many ATV owners are there in the US?

The latest available study on this matter is from 2017, pointing to an estimated 10.5 million households with at least one ATV. [7]

Sources: [1] Mordor Intelligence, [2] Motoshark, [3] National Library of Medicine, [4] Research Gate, [5] CFA, [6] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, [7] NCBI

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