Personal Injury Law

Mini-ATV Recalled Due to Defective Throttle

By Jeff Lowe, Esq.

A recall has been issued on the four-wheeled Razor Dirt Quad because a defective throttle causes the vehicle to surge forward unexpectedly.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of the mini all-terrain vehicle on Sept. 25. Approximately 30,000 of the electric ride-on vehicles designed for children were sold nationwide from August 2006 through September 2007.

A defect in the throttle?s control module can cause it to surge forward unexpectedly. Razor, the maker of the vehicle, has received 60 reports of unexpected forward surges and two reports of injuries.

The vehicles were made in China and sold in the United States for $400.The product ID numbers included in the recall begin with 103110-01 or 103110-02.

According to the CPSC, the annual tally of accidents involving ATVs increased by nearly 180 percent between 1995 and 2004. Children younger than 16 years accounted for nearly a quarter of all ATV-related deaths and a third of ATV-related injuries, such as brain and spinal cord trauma. The average cost of hospitalization for the victim of an ATV accident was $21,304.

There is little regulation or oversight of the ATV industry. Instead, safety is left to a patchwork of state laws and the ability of the already overworked CPSC to issue recalls. In spite of this weak regulatory environment, several ATV-related recalls have been made for such dangers as failures of the brakes, steering system, and suspension; inability to control speed; fire hazards; and other design flaws.

As a result of dangerous designs and manufacturing defects, children and adults have suffered brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and amputations and have even been killed in ATV accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured or a family member has been killed in an ATV accident, we urge you to contact The Lowe Law Firm. Our attorneys are experienced in helping people injured by dangerous ATVs. We will seek compensation for medical expenses, future and other affected wages, disability and other related damages, pain and suffering.

The Lowe Law Firm will provide you with a free initial consultation. We can meet with you in our office, at the hospital or in the privacy of your home. Contact The Lowe Law Firm online or call 877-678-3400.

Full post as published by Missouri Injury Lawyer Blog on September 25, 2008 (boomark / email).