SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
Miles at failure
120
Speed
30 mph
Severity
Deaths
0
Injured
1
Fire
No
Crash
Yes
Police report
Yes
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No
Narrative
THIS INVOLVES AN ATV QUAD, ARTIC CAT 500. THE VEHICLE IS REGISTED AND INSURED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A STATE MAINTAINED ROAD NORTH OF FLORENCE AND SOUTH OF BOX CANYON IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA. AT ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR, BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHEN TURNING LEFT AND DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CONTROL IN THE TURN, AND ROLLED OVER THE DRIVER, ME.IT WASN'T UNITL RECENTLY THAT I FOUND THE VEHILCE ONLY HAD THREE DISC BRAKES CALIPERS . TWO IN FRONT AND ONE ON THE RIGHT REAR. HAVING ONE BRAKE IN THE REAR ACTS AS A TURNING BRAKE TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE 650 POUND VEHICLE TO TIP RIGHT IN THE FRONT WHEN TURNING AND IS EXAGERATED GOING DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AND APPEARS TO HAVE A BENT FRAME. I RECEIVED SEVERE INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS AND PERMANENT INJURY TO MY RIGHT LEG. I HAVE GIVEN THIS GREAT THOUGHT AS I AM A MECHANIC FOR A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT SPECIALIZES IN FRONT AND REAR AXLES AND BASIC BRAKE SYSTEMS. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE LACK OF THE FOURTH BRAKE HAS CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT AND IS LIKELY TO CAUSE MORE SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY TO OTHER DRIVERS. PLEASE REVIEW MY COMPLAINT. IF THERE IS ANYTHING FURTHER THAT YOU REQUIRE OF ME DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK.*AK