Home Car Accidents 15 Passenger Van Accidents

15 Passenger Van Accidents

Large passenger vans, like the ones typically used by sports clubs, community organizations and church groups, have an exceptionally high risk for rollovers – causing hundreds of serious injuries and deaths every year. In fact, the rollover risk of these 15 passenger vans is so high that the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration has published several warnings on the risks.

One such warning is that, when filled with passengers or driven in excess of 50 miles per hour, the van becomes particularly unstable – even more unstable than SUVs. According to the NHTSA, 15 passenger vans are five times more likely to rollover when full of passengers then when there is only a driver aboard.

Why the Risk?

When a passenger van is full, the vehicle’s center of gravity shifts towards the back, meaning the van will be more likely to rollover when there is an accident or emergency condition. Another reason for the increased risk of injury in a passenger van is that often times occupants do not wear proper safety belts. According to statistics, 80 percent of all who die in a 15 passenger van accident were not wearing seatbelts.

The dangers of 15 passenger vans are well known. Federal law even prohibits the sale of these vans for the transportation of students. The NHTSA further strongly recommends that all 15 passenger vans be operated by trained and experienced drivers. It further states that all occupants should be required to wear a seatbelt. Furthermore, regular safety and maintenance checks should be conducted, including checking tire pressure and treads.

Your Legal Right to Compensation

When accidents happen, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Typically a lawsuit for 15 passenger van accident injuries will claim that either federal law was broken, or one of the NHTSA recommendations was not adhered to. Another common foundation for a suit is product liability against the van manufacturer, based on the claim that the manufacturer knew the vans were defective in design and unreasonably dangerous and failed to take steps to remedy their instability and tendency to rollover.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a 15 passenger van accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. To ensure you get the compensation you deserve, it is advised that you contact an experienced 15 passenger van accident attorney.

Since 1977, James Cunningham has been helping Florida 15 passenger accident victims receive justice and fair compensation for their injuries. To ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your 15 passenger van accident injuries, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A., at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) for a free initial consultation.

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