Hundreds of thousands of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents occur each year; it is rare for victims to just walk away after the crash.

Here are four fatal ATV crashes that occurred this weekend alone that illustrate that danger.

As summer kicks off, national ATV Safety Week is a good opportunity to remind riders of the Golden Rules from the ATV Safety Institute in order to ensure a more enjoyable off-road experience.

Remember too, as fun as a child may have on this type of vehicle, ATVs are not toys; they are powerful and potentially dangerous vehicles.

There are no federal laws regarding ATV use. Each state chooses whether or not to set any requirements, and theres no single rule which all 50 U.S. states have in common. Some states, such as Illinois, has the least stringent guidelines for riding ATVs with no restrictions on age, helmet use or number of passengers, and no required safety certification. However, the Consumer Federation of America and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that no one under 16 ride an ATV. Safely operating an ATV requires the driver to make quick decisions, such as speeding up or slowing down in response to changes in the environment. Kids are unlikely to be able to make these choices or have the skills to react to obstacles such as a pond.

For a summary of ATV laws by states, clickhere.

Mark Bello has practiced law for 40 years. He is currently the CEO and General Counsel of Lawsuit Financial Corporation, a pro-justice lawsuit funding company, and the author of the legal thriller Betrayal of Faith available on major online book store sites.

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Remember the Golden Rules During ATV Safety Week - Legal Examiner