In 2010 alone, more than 253,000 individuals were treated for injuries after they were involved in California lawn mower rollover accidents. Of these, 17,000 were children under 19 years of age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Additionally, since 2009, the number of lawn mower-related injuries has increased three percent, as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. While some may feel as though lawn mowers are similar to ATVs and can be used for racing and joyriding, these pieces of equipment can be dangerous if the operator is distracted or not paying attention.
Many California lawn mower rollover accidents occur due to alleged negligence on the part of the company that designed, marketed or manufactured the lawn mower. For instance, some companies sell lawn mowers without rollover protection systems, blade safety parts of no-mow-in-reverse switches in an effort to keep their production costs low.
Depending on the model of lawn mower, some styles are more likely to flip when the operator travels over embankments, uneven surfaces, attempts to turn too sharply, or maneuvers around tight corners or in between small spaces. When lawn mowers tip over, the operator can not only be crushed but he or she may also be at risk for injuries, amputations, lacerations, bleeding and death due to the rotating blades.
Some California lawn mower rollover accidents in which children are injured include pieces of equipment that are not built with NMIR switches. While a number of factors play into these accidents such as the height of the mower, the height of the grass and the size of the mower, if an operator is unable to see in reverse, he or she may back up over a child that was not visible.
To prevent the risk of lacerations, amputations or death, manufacturers are required to install safety features and blade protection devices. Still, while some companies may sell equipment with these safety measures, it is not always guaranteed that they may work at all or that they will be adequate enough to prevent injury or death.
A Personal Injury Attorney in California Can Help
If you or someone you love was injured in a lawn mower rollover accident or if you lost a loved one in one of these unfortunate incidents, a personal injury attorney may be able to help you to file a lawsuit. Contact Attorney Group for California to learn more about your legal rights.
