[08-31-2024] Merced County, CA – Two People Killed After Single-Vehicle ATV Crash on Santa Fe Grade

Two people were killed after a single-vehicle crash involving a 2023 Yamaha Raptor Quad in Merced County on Saturday morning, August 31, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 6:10 a.m. on Santa Fe Grade, south of W. Shaw Avenue.

Authorities stated that a 24-year-old male driver from Mendota and a 23-year-old female passenger from Firebaugh were traveling southbound at a high rate of speed when the quad collided with a parked Hopper Wesco Trailer on the west side of the road.

Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle and were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, and it is unclear if alcohol or drugs were a factor.

There is no additional information immediately available.

Call Our Esteemed Car Accident Lawyers In Merced County

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicular accident. Ask one of our personal injury attorneys, under the supervision of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., for advice regarding your car accident case. Our Merced County injury law firm is here for you!

Schedule a free consultation with our esteemed Merced County car accident lawyers, who will review your case, discuss the next steps, and examine all the variables that could affect your settlement amount. Additionally, they can assist you if obtaining further information or a police report proves challenging.

Our legal team has well-established careers and accolades for advocating for accident victims. The clients we have worked with have been awarded compensation totaling more than $500 Million.

If you want to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What To Do After A Car Accident In Merced County

No one can predict a car crash or collision, but you can prepare for one. A car accident checklist in your glove box can help you stay calm and organized after a car crash. It can tell you what to do, what not to do, and how best to protect your rights. You aren’t alone after a collision, no matter how big or small you think it may be.

Whether you are the injured victim or the family of a deceased loved one, here’s what to do after a car accident:

1. Stay Calm – Stay on the scene and make sure everyone is okay. Check yourself for injuries first, and then check others. Remain calm, and try your best to regain composure.
2. Get to a Safe Location – Move your vehicle or pull over to the side of the road if you can. Put your emergency flashers on to warn other motorists of the accident. This gives them a heads-up to slow down as they approach. Get somewhere safe to wait for the police.
3. Call 911 – Call the authorities to report your accident as soon as possible. The police can document the incident, gather information, and make it part of an official record.
4. Exchange Information – Swap names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. If possible, take photos of the vehicles, license plates, and other vital details.
5. Do Not Admit Fault – This is a common mistake people make following any vehicular accident. Stick only to the facts of what happened when speaking with a police officer, but never admit fault or say “sorry.” Nevertheless, be as detailed as possible in your description of the collision.
6. Seek Medical Attention – Go to the hospital or your primary doctor immediately. Immediate medical care can help reduce the damage you suffer from injuries. Tests and scans can identify internal injuries that may not show symptoms yet.
7. Report to Your Insurance Company – Most insurers have time limits for how soon you must report an accident in California. Call quickly and follow the agent’s directions to report your crash.
8. Speak to Insurance Adjusters – As soon as the day of your accident, you may receive a phone call from the other party’s insurance company. You may speak to the claims adjuster, but do not give away any more information than is necessary. Do not record a statement or accept an insurance settlement offer until you speak to an attorney.
9. Create a File – Keep accident-related documents together and organized. Your file should include a copy of the police report, medical bills, the other driver’s information, injury treatment plans, and any other documents you’ve collected regarding the incident.
10. Call Our Car Accident Lawyers – When in doubt, call us at (888) 488-1391. We offer free consultations so you can discuss your car crash without risk or obligation. We can determine whether your case has merit, help you talk to insurance companies, and assist you in filing a personal injury claim if necessary. Our California car accident lawyers are here for you. Our team answers the questions and concerns of many victims.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Car Accident Statistics

Based on data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2021, motor vehicle accidents accounted for 21% of the total preventable injury-related deaths in the US. Approximately 19,515 deaths involving traffic crashes were recorded from January to June 2023, which is 3.3% less than the total 20,190 deaths reported in the first half of 2022.

For the first half of 2023, the NHTSA recorded 2,061 fatalities in California due to motor vehicle accidents. The state had a total of 160,819 fatal and injury crashes in the previous year.

According to the latest Transportation Injury Mapping System data, 1,504 crashes resulted in injuries or fatalities in Merced County in 2023.