Riding an ATV can be a thrilling experience as winter ends. However, a dangerous accident can prove to be a horrible hassle, especially if you are an uninsured ATV owner.
ATV or an All-Terrain Vehicle is a four-wheeler motorbike that serves various purposes. Not only is it fun to ride, but it is also helpful for various tasks like plowing farms or transporting materials.
Many people think that an ATV vehicle needs no insurance as it seems to be a safe ride.
However, if you face an accident, your medical bills and the repair damages can cost you a fortune. Hence, it is best to carry one to use after an accident. If you want to know more about ATV insurance and get the best quotes available in the market, this site can be helpful.
ATV Riding Laws in Canada
Here are some rules to follow to ride an ATV in Canada:
- You should be a minimum of 16 years of age to ride with proper adult supervision.
- Make sure to wear your seatbelt correctly
- Carry your valid M2 or G2 license
- A safe helmet with a chin strap guard is essential
- Make sure that you are riding under the specified speed limits
Not following proper riding laws can lead to injuries and fatal accidents.
Check for Physical Injuries
Ask for medical help right after you get into an ATV-related accident. Falling off this 4-wheeler can cause whole-body injuries. For example, these are the body parts that take most of the hit:
- Skull and neck
- All your limbs
- Torso
- Your hip
Multiple injuries from 4-wheeler accidents are common and can even lead to death if not treated on time. They need emergency medical care for on-time healing. The following are some extensive injuries that can lead to severe disabilities:
Spinal Cord Damage
If you get spinal cord injuries and delay their treatment, you can develop various disabilities. This means that you might lose your ability to walk, run or even sit properly. It is hence, best not to overlook spinal injuries from ATV accidents.
Brain Damage
If you are not wearing a proper helmet, crashing an ATV might lead to brain injuries. These are internal injuries that are fatal and lead to memory loss, traumatic damages, and more. As children are more prone to brain injuries from ATV accidents, the laws prohibit them from riding under 8 years of age.
If you have ATV insurance, it can help cover the medical charges to treat these injuries before they become worse.
Obtain Legal Information for Claims
If you have crashed and have not incurred any injuries, the tip is to stay calm. Keep your mind at peace, and try not to freak out over the accident. Most importantly, refrain from shouting or screaming at any at-fault parties. Be polite with the authorities and answer their questions with the correct information. If you are at fault, admit it only to the police and not to any on-lookers. Cooperating with the police can help to quicken your insurance claim process.
Try to take some pictures of an incident. They should include your vehicle, the surrounding environment, and also if there are injuries. You can use it as evidence for your insurance claim and if a 3rd party sues for damages. Try to use a camera that can date-stamp and time-stamp the pictures to fortify your proof. If you sustained any grave injuries and couldn’t click pictures, ask rescue workers from the accident site.
Make sure to obtain a police report for any legal procedures. For example, if a car crashed into your ATV, your information list should include:
- The 3rd party’s car model, its build, and year of manufacture
- The car’s insurance details
- Names, phone numbers, and addresses
- Pictures of the accident
Utilize your ATV Insurance
If you have an ATV, it needs sustainable insurance that can pay up for its risks. So if you face an accident, you can use your insurance money to cover all the damage and injury expenses.
Try to contact your insurer immediately, or at least within 10 days, so the reimbursement does not take too long. The accident pictures, vehicle number, and other proof of damages are crucial to building your application.
When applying for an insurance claim, remember to state the damages. Every detail should be to the point and honest. There are four different types of ATV insurance coverage, namely:
Accident Benefits
If you and a passenger on your bike have sustained injuries from an ATV crash, the accident benefits coverage can compensate you.
Damage or Loss Coverage
If your ATV was damaged in an accident, this coverage provides monetary support for the repairs and replacement. Compensation is also available for any wreckage due to fire, vandalism, theft, etc.
Hit and Run Coverage
Consider this coverage as a mandatory policy for your ATV. If the at-fault driver flees the scene after causing a car crash, you can file for the hit and run coverage for damage compensation. Coverage like this is also valid for uninsured at-fault drivers.
Third-Party Liability
If your ATV crashed into someone’s property or has caused them any trouble, you are liable to compensate them. Therefore, third-party liability coverage is much-needed to pay for these damages. While in Ontario, you need to keep 200K liability insurance for your ATV by law. It is advisable to ensure 1 million to 2 million for any possible damages.
Carrying ATV insurance can save you time and money from the monetary and physical damages from the car’s accident.
Endnote
It is illegal to drive an ATV without your riding license in Canada. Following this step-by-step process can ensure your safety and help you pay for the damages in case of an ATV accident. They are also crucial in paying the medical bills lest someone sustains threatening injuries from a crash.
So make sure you are carrying a valid ATV insurance policy from a trusted insurer to receive on-time policy compensation for any hassles.
