Palm Beach Jury Finds ATV Owner Liable for Accident

A West Palm Beach Jury held the owners of an all terrain vehicle (ATV) responsible for the wrongful death of a 13 year old Boca Raton child and ordered them to pay the grieving parents $3.6 million dollars. The child was driving the ATV when she lost control, struck a tree and died.

The personal injury case centered around the owner’s negligence in allowing an unqualified, too young child to operate the ATV. The owners of the ATV ignored the vehicle’s warning labels, which stated that the vehicle should not be operated by anyone under 16 years of age, and allowed the 13 year old to operate their ATV.

This case serves as a tragic-wake up call to parents that they should only allow licensed drivers, and other mature young adults to operate their ATVs and other such vehicles. In our practice we too often see the life altering consequences of what seem to be fun family activities. We agree wholeheartedly with the organization, Concerned Families for ATV Safety, in saying that hopefully this result will help save the lives of other children.