Woman Killed in ATV Crash
An accident on an ATV took the life of a 28-year-old woman on the evening of Friday, July 28.
What Happened?
A group of people were riding all-terrain vehicles together along the dirt roads northeast of Nevada City and north of Scotts Flat Reservoir. The group approached some difficult terrain as they neared Barn Hollow Road while riding along Cooper Road at around 7:45 in the evening. William Cobb was riding a 2006 model Yamaha Grizzly with the 660cc engine. He was riding with a 28-year-old woman on the back and neither of the two passengers was wearing helmets. Upon hitting the rougher terrain, Cobb accidentally flipped the four-wheeler and wrecked it. The passenger was thrown from the vehicle and landed hard. The other riders in the group saw the severity of the impact and called rescue services. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by an attending paramedic.
We send our condolences to the friends and family of the woman who passed away in this tragic accident.
How Did This Happen?
ATVs, although fun, are prone to flipping over. This is because of their narrow width, high ground clearance, and the fact that the rider sits on top of the vehicle giving it a high center of gravity. Couple those characteristics with high speeds and sharp turns, and you have a recipe for injury. A lot of four-wheelers are quite heavy, with some weighing in at 600 pounds. Riders often have trouble getting out from underneath them after a flip over, which can be fatal. Even riders who wear safety helmets and protective body armor are exposed to the extreme forces exerted on the body from a high-speed crash which can prove deadly.
Head trauma is the leading cause of death during ATV accidents. When a four-wheeler flips over, the axis of rotation is usually around the wheels. This would put the rider’s head as the farthest point from the axis and therefore the speed of the head would be greater than the rest of the body and the impact would be much harder. Head and brain injuries, spinal cord and neck injuries can all result from an ATV rollover, all of which can cause mortal injuries.
The best way to stay safe while riding all-terrain vehicles is to ride carefully. Know the area you will be riding in so you do not come upon surprising land features such as ravines, large drop-offs, or obstacles in your way. If you are riding in unfamiliar areas, slow down your speed to maintain better control and the ability to react quicker in tricky terrain.
Grass Valley Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Grass Valley Wrongful Death Lawyer. My thoughts go out to the victim’s family and also to William Cobb after this tragic incident. Hundreds of people die each year in ATV accidents. If you know someone who has been killed or injured in an ATV accident please call my office at 530-392-9400 or 800-404-5400.
I have 35 years of experience helping people all around Northern California, including Grass Valley and Nevada City.
Look at my reviews and past settlements:
I also provide daily articles on local accidents, news, and helpful information for those with legal questions on my website, autoaccident.com.
Here are some other articles from my website:
- Grass Valley Fatal ATV Crash
- DUI Collision Kills Man in Anderson
- Fatal Hit and Run in Santa Barbara County
Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toivo/ – Wikimedia Commons
Final Picture: Photograph of Grass Valley Wrongful Death Lawyer, Ed Smith
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