Large passenger vans have been a major cause of accident related deaths because of their high capacity and limited amount of safety related amenities. They are often used by school groups, religious organizations, and other community organizations for short trips. Yet, despite their high passenger limit, the more people in the vehicle the more dangerous it becomes. There are numerous vehicle design flaws that make 15 passenger vans dangerous.
What Causes These Vans to Crash
One of the major reasons that 15 passenger vans have a higher than average accident rate is because of design flaws. If there are more than ten passengers in one of these vans, its likelihood to have an accident increases. The risk also increases if there is any amount of weight on the roof of the vehicle. This weight offsets the balance of the van. Making it more likely to veer of the road and into a rollover accident.
These rollover crashes are also often caused by driver and road characteristics. 90% of the rollover accidents that occur in a 15 passenger van are caused due to the driver losing control of the vehicle and driving off of the road. These vans have less resistance to rollovers because the center of gravity shifts to the rear of the vehicle which makes it harder to control in emergency situations.
Tips to Avoiding Rollover Accidents
- It is important that anyone who operates one of these 15 passenger vans is experienced and licensed. They will know how to avoid situations that could put the van and passengers at risk.
- Do not overload the van. Overloading can not only increase the likelihood of a rollover accident but also makes the vehicle more unstable in handling maneuvers.
- Tires should be checked for proper size and air pressure before any trip. There should also be very little to no wear on the tires to ensure that they have the maximum grip to road.
- Making sure that the vehicle is regularly serviced and maintained is vital to making sure that it remains safe and in proper running condition.
- Safety belts should be worn by everyone in the vehicle at all times.
If you or a family member has been injured in a 15 passenger van accident it is important to speak with a lawyer about your legal options. If you have any more question or concerns about large passenger vehicles and liabilities, please do not hesitate to contact our attorneys.