What Is a Side-by-Side Accident?

Colburn Law

Posted by Greg Colburn in ATVs & Off-Road Vehicles,Car Accidents on May 9, 2025

The term side-by-side accident refers to collisions involving utility task vehicles (UTVs) with side-by-side seating, often used for recreation or work. These vehicles are widely used in Washington, especially in rural and off-road environments. When a crash occurs, particularly one involving a larger vehicle like a passenger car, the consequences can be severe. Side-by-side accidents often involve questions about property access, liability, and compliance with off-highway vehicle laws. Injuries can range from broken bones to head trauma, and legal cases may hinge on insurance coverage or landowner responsibility. Our Car Accident Attorneys at Colburn Law – Accident and Injury Lawyers offer support to Washington residents facing complex recovery and legal decisions after such incidents.

What’s Called a Side-by-Side?

A side-by-side, or SxS, is a utility task vehicle (UTV) designed for off-road use with seats placed next to one another, unlike traditional ATVs, where riders straddle a single seat. These vehicles typically feature car-like amenities such as a steering wheel, gas and brake pedals, seat belts, and a roll cage, giving riders greater control and protection than standard ATVs. Some models even include cargo beds, roof covers, and digital display panels, making them popular for work and recreation.

In Washington, side-by-sides are classified as off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and fall under specific usage regulations. While they are not typically street-legal, they can be permitted on certain roads if properly outfitted and registered for such use. Despite their safety features, these vehicles can be deceptively dangerous. Riders sometimes underestimate the risks due to their stable appearance. Still, in reality, uneven terrain, sharp turns, and speed can quickly result in rollovers or collisions, especially when used outside of designated areas.

How Do Side-by-Side Accidents Occur?

Side-by-side crashes can happen in a wide range of environments, including private property, public trails, recreational parks, and even roadways—especially when riders make unauthorized crossings or encounter sudden hazards. These vehicles often travel at high speeds over rough or uneven terrain, and while they appear stable, they can quickly become dangerous in the wrong conditions.

A study based on newspaper reports from nine U.S. states found that many of these accidents share common traits: rollovers, ejections, and collisions with natural or man-made structures. Alarmingly, nearly 40% of these crashes involved multiple events, such as an initial rollover followed by an ejection (ResearchGate Study).

These aren’t always simple accidents. In many cases, contributing factors include operator inexperience, unsafe speeds, mechanical defects, or poor trail conditions. When a side-by-side collides with a passenger vehicle or occurs on shared-use roads, questions of liability and fault become far more complex and often demand legal guidance.

What Is a Side-by-Side Accident?

A side-by-side accident refers to a collision or incident involving a utility task vehicle (UTV) that typically seats two or more passengers side-by-side.

Unlike traditional cars, side-by-sides are not primarily designed for use on paved roads. However, in some areas of Washington, they may legally cross roads or operate in designated areas if they meet specific equipment requirements. Crashes can involve:

• Other motor vehicles
• Stationary objects like trees or fences
• Other off-road vehicles
• Pedestrians or animals

These accidents can cause severe trauma, including spinal cord injuries, head injuries, fractures, or, in some cases, fatalities. Determining fault can be challenging, depending on where the crash occurred and who was operating the vehicle.

Causes of Side-by-Side (ATV) Accidents

Side-by-side vehicle crashes may be caused by driver error, mechanical failure, lack of protective gear, or dangerous terrain. However, the dangers multiply significantly when these vehicles end up on public roadways, especially when attempting unpermitted crossings or operating near larger vehicles like trucks or passenger cars. In such mixed-use environments, even minor mistakes can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission highlights that a substantial number of fatalities in off-highway vehicle incidents, including side-by-sides, stem from collisions with fixed objects such as trees, mailboxes, or fences. Collisions—with other vehicles, stationary objects, people, or animals—are also a frequent hazard among all OHV fatalities. Staff’s review of ATV data finds collisions to be the primary hazard in about 37 percent of fatalities, even before considering secondary outcomes like rollovers or ejections. Of these incidents, at least 61% involve impacts with stationary objects, including trees, guard rails, and mailboxes. Other high-risk outcomes include rollovers, ejections, or multiple-impact crashes.

In some cases, the root cause might stem from design flaws or the absence of basic safety mechanisms such as seat belts or reinforced cages. Additional contributing factors can include:

• Aggressive driving or loss of control at high speeds
• Unfamiliarity with the vehicle, especially among young or unlicensed operators
• Impaired operation due to alcohol or drug consumption
• Unmarked or poorly maintained trails
• Defective parts or mechanical system failures

Key Differences Between ATVs and Side-by-Side Vehicles

ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles) and side-by-sides serve similar purposes but have key structural and legal differences.

Feature	ATV	Side-by-Side (SxS)
Seating	Straddle, single-rider	Side-by-side, multi-passenger
Controls	Handlebar	Steering wheel
Protection	Limited	Roll cage, seat belts
Use on Roads (WA)	Highly restricted	Maybe street-legal if modified
Licensing	No	Conditional in WA

In Washington, a side-by-side may be street-legal under RCW 46.09 if it includes required equipment and is registered for on-road use. That said, these rules are complex and location-specific. For safety and legal reasons, understanding the distinction between ATV and UTV is essential before operating either vehicle.

Trusted Legal Representation for Side-by-Side Accidents

When a side-by-side crash leads to injury, working with experienced legal professionals can make a huge difference. Liability depends on many factors, including whether the crash happened on public or private land, whether a car was involved, or if a child was injured while operating a UTV unsupervised.

Our team investigates the scene, reviews potential vehicle defects, and helps identify whether any laws were violated. We also collaborate with medical experts and accident reconstructionists to strengthen injury claims. And while every case is different, we often pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses and future care
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle damage

Navigating UTV-related injury claims requires not just legal knowledge, but real familiarity with Washington’s off-highway vehicle laws and insurance practices.

A WA Side-By-Side Accident Attorney Can Help

If you or someone close to you was injured in a side-by-side crash in Washington, our team is ready to help. These cases can be complex, and liability might involve another driver, a product defect, or even unsafe property conditions.

At Colburn Law – Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand how overwhelming these situations can be. Whether your accident happened off-road, on private land, or in a collision with another vehicle, we’ll review the facts and help you understand your legal options. Contact our WA Car Accident Lawyers today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

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