A weekend off-roading trip in the White Mountains is supposed to be a practical way to unwind, but when a UTV rollover leaves you with a torn shoulder, back injuries, and mounting ER bills, the financial panic hits immediately.
If you are dealing with confusing insurance runarounds, worrying about your lost wages, and wondering who is actually supposed to pay for the damage, you need straight-shooting answers. Here is how White Mountain Injury Law helps you protect your income, your family, and your future after navigating a complex ATV or UTV crash claim.
Unpacking Unique Terrain and Complex Liability
The White Mountains are famous for their scenic off-road trails, but the rugged terrain makes determining who is at fault confusing.
When you are riding on a public dirt or asphalt road, you have to follow the standard rules of the road, just like a car or motorcycle. But out on the trails, liability comes down to what a “reasonable person” would do in the same circumstances. For example, if a UTV driver is cutting a blind corner too sharply and hits another rider who is staying in their proper lane, the driver cutting the corner is at fault.
If you are injured as a passenger in a single-vehicle rollover, the driver who negligently caused the crash is held responsible. But who actually pays? We look for insurance coverage in a specific order:
- The insurance policy covering the UTV itself.
- The personal insurance of the driver, if they don’t own the vehicle.
- Your own underinsured motorist coverage, which follows you anywhere you go and can be a lifesaver if the at-fault party doesn’t have enough coverage.
Don’t let the insurers bounce you around while you are missing work. Contact White Mountain Injury Law today for a free case evaluation.
The Hidden Danger of UTV Rollovers
While we often think of head and spinal cord injuries in off-road crashes, severe hand, arm, and shoulder injuries are incredibly common in UTV (side-by-side) rollovers.
Because UTVs generally do not have windows, a rider’s first instinct when the vehicle starts to tip is to stick their arm out to prevent their head or shoulders from hitting the ground. This natural reaction leads to catastrophic injuries to the hands, elbows, and shoulders. If you work with your hands for a living, a torn shoulder or severe arm injury doesn’t just hurt—it threatens your ability to work and puts your livelihood at risk.
Real Success Story: Securing a $2 Million Settlement
We have successfully fought for clients dealing with these exact life-altering injuries. In the not-too-distant past, we represented a highly athletic young man who was riding in a UTV driven by his father. The father was fishtailing the vehicle on dirt—something you should never do unless you are on loose sand, because the tires can catch a rut and cause a violent flip.
When the UTV rolled, the son instinctively put his hand out, which tragically resulted in the amputation of two fingers on his dominant hand. Because we deeply investigated the UTV’s insurance policy, we were able to maximize the coverage and secure a $2 million settlement for him.
Worried About “Suing a Friend”?
Off-roading is usually a group activity, which means if you get hurt in a rollover, there is a very high chance the person driving was a friend or family member. We frequently meet with clients who are hesitant to file a claim because they don’t want to “sue” someone they care about or cause drama.
At White Mountain Injury Law, we take a unique approach. We actively reach out to your at-fault friend or family member to reassure them of one simple fact: We are only pursuing their insurance company, not their personal assets.
We remind them that covering your medical bills and lost wages is exactly why they pay their monthly insurance premiums. You shouldn’t have to drain your own savings just to protect a buddy’s insurance company.
You need to protect your physical recovery and your paycheck. If you’ve been seriously injured in a UTV accident, let us deal with the insurance runaround so you can focus on healing. Contact White Mountain Injury Law today to get the legal help you deserve.