Teen Plaintiffs Settle for $10M in UTV Accident Case

Two plaintiffs have settled their negligence claims after a fatal UTV accident. The offended parties, one of whom did not survive the rollover crash, were two teenage girls. Whetstone Perkins & Fulda’s attorneys Cheryl Perkins, John Fulda, Charles Whetstone, and Amanda Shuler helped achieve a $10 million settlement on the plaintiffs’ behalf.

Details of the Accident

At the time of the accident, a 14-year-old girl was driving a newly purchased UTV under the supervision of one adult parent. The driver’s seatbelt was buckled and tucked behind the children, offering no protection to the drivers or passengers.

The injured parties brought separate claims against the young driver, her folks, and the LLC that possessed the homestead and the UTV. The question of whether the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Act, also known as Chandler’s Law, applies to UTVs was a crucial legal point in the case. This law would mean UTV drivers must be at least 16 with a valid driver’s license.

Results of the Case

The case settled soon after the initial order, providing the full limits of insurance coverage and an additional $2.1 million in compensation from the defendant. The deceased plaintiff’s estate received $7.5 million, and the surviving plaintiff received $2.5 million.

According to one of the plaintiff’s attorneys, the case dealt with the worst kind of tragedy—a child’s death. The departed party was the “bolster of her loved ones” and she aspired to become a psychiatrist to help those with disabilities. While we know compensation will not make up for such a loss, we hope we have helped surviving family members achieve a sense of justice.

Contact a UTV Accident Attorney Now

ATV and UTV accidents can be incredibly dangerous. Anyone who owns or drives one of these vehicles should have a legal license and follow all the rules of the road.

When someone’s carelessness results in devastating harm, it is essential to have a skilled attorney by your side. Call today to speak with an injury lawyer at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda.