Dr. Ballard discusses ATV injury prevention on WJBF-TV

Dr. Jedidiah Ballard, an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia, talked with WJBF-TV News Channel 6 about the dangers of ATV injuries, and why it’s important to wear a helmet.

Ballard said that patients come into AU Medical Center’s emergency room with everything from minor bumps and bruises to bone fractures and more serious injuries.

“We’ll get spinal cord injuries causing paralysis, and brain bleeds,  especially if they’re not wearing a helmet,” he said. “Sometimes they’re taking them (ATVs) on a highway and it might be a high-speed wreck on concrete, and other times they’re going slow with it over very rough terrain … and the ATV will roll on top of them.”

The reporter demonstrated several pieces of protective equipment that promote a safer ATV ride.

“If you were to get one piece, the helmet is by far the best,” Ballard told viewers.

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April 17, 2017