Fatal Stockton Quad Accident
On Wednesday, April 14, 2021, a young man was killed, and his teenage passenger sustained severe injuries when the quad the man was operating reportedly ran a stop sign and was struck by another vehicle. The tragic quad accident occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. in Stockton, at the intersection of Jackson Street and Hunter Street.
The driver of the quad was a 20-year-old male, and his passenger was 17. The quad did not stop for the stop sign on Jackson Street, and a 57-year-old woman who was driving her vehicle on Hunter Street was unable to avoid a collision with the quad.
Both quad occupants were transported to the hospital, where the 20-year-old was pronounced dead a short time later. The 17-year-old passenger’s condition is reportedly stable, but critical.
The names of the involved parties have not been released.
What is a Quad?
A quad, in the context of off-roading vehicles, is an ATV with four wheels. They are commonly used for trail riding and are usually rear-wheel drive. Though quads have the capacity to be four-wheel drive, when they are, off-roaders usually refer to them as “four-wheelers” rather than quads.
Riding an ATV on a Paved Road
It is unsafe to operate an ATV on paved roads. They are not designed to do so. The tires on an ATV are designed for off-roading, and they can over-grip on asphalt, causing a rollover.
It is unclear why the 20-year old was operating a quad on this Stockton paved road.
California Laws Related to Quad Riding
California prohibits the operation of ATVs on public roads, except under very few circumstances:
- When crossing a two-lane road at an angle of 90 degrees.
- When crossing a street with more than two lanes and the crossing is allowed by signage.
- On any road that the correct authority has designated for ATV travel under the following conditions:
- It is daylight.
- The street has a functioning stoplight.
- The ATV is equipped with rubber tires.
- The ATV operator is properly licensed.
Additionally, under California law, an ATV operator is prohibited from driving at speeds that are not safe for conditions. Any speed that puts the driver, any passenger, other people, or property at risk for injury or damage is an unsafe speed.
A driver of any type of vehicle that proceeds through a stop sign without stopping is breaking the law.
ATV Accidents in California
ATVs pose many safety risks. One big reason is they are prone to rollover, especially when navigating hills. But riding a quad or other ATV on roads meant for passenger vehicle traffic increases the safety risks exponentially.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a clip with tips for riding an ATV safely.
Personal Injury Lawyer – Stockton, California
Hello, and thank you for reading our story about this tragic quad accident. I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. Any time we report on the death of a young person, it saddens us. The loss of life always seems senseless. Young people are prone to making mistakes behind the wheel, and sometimes those mistakes have tragic results. In the future of self-driving vehicles, there may be a day when traffic deaths are greatly reduced or, better yet, eradicated. We aren’t there yet, and until that day, our firm will remain advocates for the injured and for grieving families who have lost loved ones.
There are many questions following a serious traffic accident. Consulting with an experienced injury lawyer will help you understand the legal complexities involved with bringing a claim for personal injury or wrongful death. If you or someone you love has suffered injury or loss as a result of a traffic collision, don’t hesitate to seek our compassionate, free, and friendly advice – just dial (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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