Dirt Bike Rider in Critical Condition After Collision On Broad Street in Philadephia

admin | August 14, 2020 | Bicycle Accidents

Just after midnight on August 1, 2020, a dirt bike rider struck another vehicle on Broad Street in North Philadelphia. The police said that the rider struck the rear passenger door of a BMW at the intersection of Norris Street and Broad Street. The collision caused the rider to be ejected from the dirt bike.

The dirt bike rider was transported to Temple University Hospital, where he was in critical condition. He sustained several broken bones in his arms and legs from the crash.

There do not appear to be any other injuries from the accident. The police continue to investigate the accident.

Philadelphia Continues to Have Problems With Dirt Bikes and Other Vehicles on Streets

It is illegal to operate ATVs and dirt bikes on city streets, according to Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. Commissioner Outlaw also stated that these vehicles pose a danger on the road and create a nuisance for communities.

However, that does not stop individuals from riding ATVs and dirt bikes on Philadelphia streets. 

On February 15, 2019, just before 5:00 p.m., 911 operators received numerous calls that dozens of dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles had taken over several city streets in Philadelphia. A large group of Quads, dirt bikes, and ATVs, swerved in and out of traffic as they traveled up North Broad Street. Riders were operating the vehicles recklessly in various parts of the city. 

Riders were cutting through traffic and performing wheelies between vehicles. They are like a swarm of bees around a car. They also ride onto the sidewalk where pedestrians are standing and walking. 

Chief Inspector Scott Small said that the vehicles sometimes travel in the opposite direction of traffic and travel at high rates of speed. They terrorize streets and neighborhoods. 

Officers Have Difficulty Catching Riders

Unfortunately, it is difficult for police officers to stop them. Because the vehicles are small and can go off-road, the riders can quickly dart in and out of traffic and disappear into neighborhoods. The riders can go where police vehicles cannot.

However, police officers are able to find and catch some dirt bike and ATV riders. They confiscate hundreds of vehicles that are not street legal each year. 

In May 2020, police officers seized 63 dirt bikes and ATVs after receiving complaints from residents. The officers issued 60 citations for traffic code violations, and three arrests were made for fleeing police, unauthorized use, and theft.

A police spokesperson stated that there would be additional operations like this one throughout the summer. Similar operations like this one have occurred in the past as riders illegally take to the streets on ATVs and dirt bikes.

Injuries and Deaths from ATVs and Dirt Bikes 

ATVs and dirt bikes are off-road vehicles. They are not safe to ride on city streets. Riders involved in accidents with vehicles can sustain severe injuries. 

The occupants of vehicles can also be injured in these accidents. Motorists may try to avoid a collision with an ATV or dirt bike, resulting in a head-on crash or rollover accident. 

However, riding ATVs and dirt bikes on trails is not always safe either. These vehicles are not toys. They are powerful machines that can be hazardous to operate.

Each year, thousands of people are injured and killed in ATV accidents. Pennsylvania is in the top ten states for ATV-related deaths between 1982 and 2013. 

In 2018, hospital emergency departments treated approximately 81,800 ATV-related injuries. A fourth of the injuries involved children 16 years of age and younger. 

Common ATV injuries include, but are not limited to:

• Head and neck injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations and scarring
• Loss of limbs
• Severe burns
• Chest injuries

Many riders do not wear helmets or protective gear when riding, which increases the risk of catastrophic and life-threatening injuries.

What Causes ATV or Dirt Bike Accidents?

Human error is a common cause of accidents involving ATVs and dirt bikes. Riders are inexperienced and do not wear protective gear. Trails may not be adequately maintained, which can increase the chance of an accident.

In some cases, the vehicles may be defective. ATV recalls are common. Some defects can lead to accidents and injuries.

If someone is injured because an ATV or dirt bike is defective, the person may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer. In some cases, an ATV accident could lead to a premises liability claim against a property owner, or a personal injury claim against the driver or owner. 

Injury victims can speak with our experienced Philadelphia injury attorneys to discuss their legal rights and options for recovering compensation for injuries and damages after an ATV or dirt bike accident. 

Contact Our Bicycle Accidents Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case

To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.