Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

A Sonora man died earlier this month after he was ejected from his Polaris ATV while riding in Stanislaus National Forest, the Modesto Bee reported. The fatal accident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 16th. According to news reports, the victim, William Robert Clark, 47, was riding his 2007 Polaris ATV on Forest Route 4N12 in the Pinecrest area when he passed two other vehicles and apparently failed to negotiate a curve. The ATV went off the road and Clark suffered fatal head injuries, despite wearing a helmet. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Polaris ATV Defects and Recalls

Polaris Industries, founded in 1954 and based out of Medina, Minnesota, has issued a number of recalls for serious manufacturing, design, and assembly defects in the last few years. Many of these recalls have been initiated after Polaris received reports of fatal accidents or accidents resulting in serious injury. Although ATV riding is inherently dangerous and risky, after any accident, it is important to look at whether the vehicle itself was the true cause of the crash. In situations such as this one, if a defect of the vehicle caused the ATV rider to lose control and crash, Polaris could be liable for the victim's death in a wrongful death claim. While this accident is under investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit from talking to a Polaris ATV accident attorney about the crash and the potential wrongful death liability issues involved.

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A 92-year-old Sonora woman died early June 9th following an accident on Highway 108 at Via Este Road in Sonora, the CHP reported. The accident occurred at 4:38 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8th, and involved a 1998 Honda and a 1994 Honda. According to news reports, Audrey Vest, 92, of Sonora, was a front seat passenger in the 1998 Honda driven by Heather East, 26, of Jamestown. East was driving northbound on Via Este and stopped at the stop sign, intending to turn left onto SR-108. According to the CHP news release, East failed to yield the right-of-way to approaching traffic on eastbound 108.

As she left Via Este, East's vehicle was subsequently broadsided by a Honda driven by Megan Jacka, 34, of Sonora. All three parties were taken to Doctor's Hospital in Modesto. East suffered moderate injuries and Jacka suffered major injuries. Vest suffered critical injuries and passed away early the next day.

Cause of the Fatal Hwy 108 Crash

If news reports are accurate, the California Highway Patrol initially determined that this accident was the result of a driver error. However, the CHP is still investigating the cause of the Tuolumne County accident and any contributing factors, such as a dangerous road condition. While the accident remains under investigation, the families of Megan Jacka and Audrey Vest would be well-advised to consult with a California personal injury attorney as soon as possible about this accident and protecting their rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. A skilled attorney can review the accident report and other similar accidents at this location, including a collision that killed a 22-year-old Soulsbyville man at this same intersection in September 2009, and a nearby head-on collision that killed two people on March 16, 2009.

Continue reading "One Killed, Two Injured in Sonora Pass Hwy Accident at Via Este" »