Van accidents have the potential to cause major, if not fatal, injuries. Unfortunately, van accidents are fairly common in New York. Whether it’s being used to drive kids to daycare facilities, athletic teams, senior citizens or church groups etc., passenger vans are in high demand and a common sight on our roadways. However, these vehicles can pose a serious safety risk when inexperienced, distracted or impaired drivers operate them. It is not only crucial for the driver to be well trained and qualified when he or she is employed by a van operator, but also for the van to be well-maintained and properly loaded before it’s put to use on a roadway.
Here are five things that are important to know when it comes to van accidents.
1. Driver experience is a critical requirement for operating vans.
Based on their hiring of drivers, many organizations and groups appear to think just about anyone can operate a passenger van. However, that is not true. Vans are unwieldy vehicles that can be challenging to operate especially for drivers who lack the experience, skill and ability to safety operate them. If you are considering hiring a person to operate a van to transport a group of people, you must employ a driver who has a commercial driver’s license. Vans handle a lot differently than cars, especially when they are fully loaded. A passenger van is longer and wider than the average car. So, it requires more space to maneuver. It also requires additional reliance on the side-view mirrors for changing lanes.
2. Vans must be properly loaded.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one of the most common causes of van accidents involving multiple fatalities is improper vehicle loading. In larger passenger vans, cargo should be placed forward of the rear axle. One should avoid overloading the van or placing any loads on the roof. It is also important to refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for specifications on the maximum allowable weight of passengers and the number of passengers. If vans are overloaded or improperly loaded, the risk of a rollover crash is significantly increased.
3. Vans must be well maintained.
Like all vehicles, vans must be properly maintained. It is important to replace any worn out vehicle parts. Tires must be in good condition. Inspect tires and check their pressure before each trip. A van’s tires including the spare tires must be properly inflated and the tread should not be worn down. Excessive wear or improperly inflated tires can lead to loss of vehicle control and potentially a rollover crash. It is also important to make sure the brakes are working properly and that its maintenance schedule is being followed.
4. Speed laws must be obeyed at all times.
Van drivers should always obey the posted speed limit, and reduce the vehicle’s speed as needed and based on road or weather conditions. It is also important to remember that vans require additional braking time and cannot handle abrupt maneuvers the way cars can. So, it is crucial to drive at a speed that is safe, given traffic, roadway and weather conditions.
5. You can seek compensation if you’ve been injured in a van accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a van accident, you may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased victims can also seek compensation by filing what is known as a wrongful death lawsuit. A number of parties may be held liable in a van accident including the van’s driver, his or her employer, the organization operating the van, or the entity that commissioned the trip, etc.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a van accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
