The Deadly Dangers of 15-Passenger Vans
15-passenger vans are commonly seen on the roads around Portland, Beaverton, and the Pacific Northwest. The vans transport children to daycare, sports teams to competitions, seniors to community events, employees to work, or teenagers to camps. Nevertheless, these cumbersome vehicles can present particular safety risks, especially for inexperienced drivers and others on the road. Particularly concerning is that the vans are prone to rollovers, one of the most dangerous types of vehicle accidents.
15-Passenger Van Accidents Are Still Happening
I originally wrote this blog post in 2012 after working on a case involving a 15-passenger van that rolled down an embankment. In that incident, several people were seriously injured, and two passengers were ejected. Unfortunately, ejections are common in rollover accidents involving these vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), 57% of the 15-passenger van occupants killed in rollover crashes from 2010 to 2019 were ejected. Passengers ejected during rollovers face an increased risk of catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and, in the worst cases, death.
Before I decided to update this post, I wanted to see if these vehicles still posed a risk to people in our community. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Around the country and the Portland area, 15-passenger vans continue to be the cause of tragic and avoidable injury and death. Here are just a couple of tragic examples:
In 2013, an 11-year-old girl was ejected from a 15-passenger van and died while driving on Interstate 84 in Gresham, Oregon. She was on her way to an evening church service with her mom and younger brother when the van fishtailed and rolled down an embankment.
Legal Challenges in 15-Passenger Van
Personal Injury Cases
When a multi-passenger van is involved in an accident, determining liability and securing fair compensation for injury or wrongful death victims can be complicated. One common issue is that the liability insurance limits of the at-fault party are often insufficient to cover the extensive damages suffered by all the injured passengers.
For instance, in the 15-passenger van case I handled in 2012, the passengers collectively incurred over half a million dollars in medical expenses and lost wages. The problem was that the van only had $300,000 in liability insurance coverage. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney, like myself, who can identify all potentially liable parties, such as the van's owner, the employer, or even the vehicle manufacturer, is crucial.
Are Van Manufacturers At Fault?
In some cases, rollover accidents may result from design or manufacturing defects. Commercial multi-passenger transit vans, particularly 15-passenger models, are known for their top-heavy design, which can make them prone to tipping over during sharp turns or sudden stops. Additionally, poor tire maintenance and overloading can exacerbate these risks. The NHTSA has even issued warnings about the dangers of specific van designs, advising against their use for transporting children, and many states and school districts have prohibited the use of 15-passenger vans to transport students.
The Role of Road Conditions in Rollover Accidents
Adverse road conditions like snow, ice, rain, and poor visibility can significantly contribute to rollover accidents. These hazards are prevalent in the Pacific Northwest and around Portland and Beaverton, where we experience seasonal weather changes that can make roads slippery and dangerous. Large commercial vehicles like 15-passenger vans are especially susceptible to losing control under these conditions due to their size and weight distribution. Drivers must take extra precautions during inclement weather to prevent tragedies. That's why it is so important that the operators of these vehicles be experienced and properly trained.
Ways to Reduce the Risk of 15-Passenger Van Rollovers
According to the NHTSA, here are some ways to reduce the risk of a rollover accident:
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure: Poor tire maintenance is a leading cause of rollovers. Regularly inspect and replace worn or underinflated tires.
Avoid Overloading: Adhere to weight limits to prevent the vehicle from becoming unstable.
Ensure Driver Training: Drivers of commercial and public transit vehicles should be trained to handle the unique challenges of operating these larger, heavier vehicles.
Experience: Fifteen-passenger vans should only be driven by experienced, licensed drivers who operate this type of vehicle on a regular basis.
Speed: Always obey the posted speed limit, and reduce your speed as needed based on road or weather conditions. 15-passenger vans require additional braking time and cannot handle abrupt maneuvers like cars.
Wear Seat Belts.
How Our Law Office Can Help
If you or a loved one has been involved in a multi-passenger van accident in the Beaverton or Portland area, our office is here to help. We encourage you to visit our Trucking Accidents practice page for more information on how we can assist you with complex commercial vehicle personal injury or wrongful death cases. Our law office has extensive experience handling complex cases involving multiple victims, severe injuries, and death. We also have experience handling personal injury and wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks and 15-passenger vans and understand the specific state and federal laws and regulations that are involved. By carefully investigating the circumstances of each case, we can identify all potentially responsible parties, giving our clients the best chance of obtaining fair compensation for their injuries.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle or 15-passenger van accident in the Beaverton or Portland area, don't wait to seek legal help. Contact our office today for a free, confidential consultation. We can skillfully guide you through the legal process and will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you're entitled to.
Last Updated: 11-22-2024
