Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Accident Cases

Our Ann Arbor accident lawyers represent victims of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Accidents and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) accidents.  Many of these accident victims are children and teenagers and their injuries are often serious, and even catastrophic.

Restrictions are in effect on the operation of the ORVs by children under the age of 16.  There are also specific obligations that fall upon the parents or legal guardians of ORV riders under the age of 16, and upon the owners of ORVs.

  • A. No person under the age of 16 may operate any 3-wheeled ATV
  • B. No child the age of 10 may operate any 4-wheeled ATV, EXCEPT on private land while performing farm related work operations.
  • C. Children who are 10 and 11 years old may operate 4-wheel ATVs only when ALL of the following conditions exist:
  • Must be on land owned by the child’s parent or guardian;
  • Must be under visual supervision (see definition) of an adult;
  • Must possess a valid ORV safety certificate
  • D. Children who are 12-15 years old may operate 4-wheeled ATVs only when BOTH of the following conditions exist:
  • Must be under visual supervision of an adult;
  • Must possess a valid ORV safety certificate
  • E. Children under 16 may operate other ORVs (trail bikes, for example) only when BOTH of the following conditions exist:
  • Must be under visual supervision of an adult;
  • Must possess a valid ORV safety certificate
  • F. No child under the age of 12 may cross any street, highway or county road while operating any ORV.
  • G. Children who are at least 12 years old may cross streets and roads (only at right angles)

 Visual supervision is defined as having direct observation with the unaided eye and the ability to come to immediate aid of another ORV operator.

The parents and legal guardians of a child under the age of 16 are legally responsible if they permit the child under their care to violate any of the above.  The owner (or person in control) of an ORV is also responsible if his or her ORV is operated by a youngster.

Victims of these accidents do have legal rights and should contact an experienced Ann Arbor accident and injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident.

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343 S. Main Street, #206
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
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