In Missouri and Illinois, anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor and cannot pursue their own claim for damages resulting from an off-road accident or ATV collision. Instead, a parent or legal guardian will pursue a claim on behalf of the minor child as guardian ad litem, or “next friend.”

Read more about filing a personal injury claim for a minor child or teenager.

You may be considering a St. Louis personal injury attorney if you or a loved one were involved in a collision in a motorcycle, golf cart or ATV — or if your insurance company has denied a claim for damages caused by the accident. These claims are often denied because of a policy’s coverage exclusions, but there is a possibility the insurance company has acted in bad faith by failing to cover a claim. This is something an experienced attorney can help you with.

In order to navigate policy language regarding coverage and exclusions, knowledge of insurance law is necessary.

Insurance coverage is very complicated when a motorcycle accident or ATV crash has resulted in significant physical damages or property damage. If the incident occurred off road or on private property, it typically corresponds to a homeowner’s insurance policy. If the accident was on a public roadway, it will likely correspond to an auto insurance policy and would be excluded from homeowner’s coverage.

An experienced St. Louis motorcycle collision lawyer will evaluate the details of your case to identify all relevant parties.

At the personal injury law firm of Padberg Appelbaum Knepper in St. Louis, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means clients pay nothing up front and will only pay fees and reimbursement of expenses if benefits are successfully recovered.

Generally, a claim must be filed within two years from the date of the  motorcycle accident, ATV crash or golf cart collision. This is the statute of limitations, or time limit, in both Missouri and Illinois. There may be exceptions to this deadline which depend on the specific circumstances of your case.

In order to receive the professional legal advice you need after a serious accident, and to avoid missing the deadline to file a claim, schedule a complimentary consultation with our team of top motorcycle accident attorneys in St. Louis.

You can pursue legal action for a motorcycle, golf cart or ATV collision even if you were not wearing a helmet, or if the accident was partially your fault.

Wearing a helmet and protective gear is always recommended when riding a motorcycle or operating an ATV. However, helmets are not required for motorcyclists in Illinois, and helmets are optional for bikers of age 26 and older in Missouri, with proof of medical insurance and financial responsibility. State law and other statutory codes regarding safe operation of an ATV do not apply to an individual’s private property.

ATV crashes happen suddenly and can be life-altering. Although several different factors can cause an accident, they are typically the result of negligence. In a personal injury lawsuit, negligence falls into these legal categories:

• Negligent Entrustment of a minor child or teenager
• Negligent Maintenance of the vehicle
• Negligent Supervision while the vehicle was in use

There could also be comparative negligence, where both parties are found to have contributed to the cause of  a crash. An experienced St. Louis ATV accident attorney will evaluate the details of your case to determine who may be at fault.

Read more about liability for ATV accidents on private property.