Tacoma 15-Passenger Van Accident Lawyers
According to studies conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board and the NHTSA, 15-passenger vans tend to be far more dangerous than smaller and less "loaded" vehicles. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System in one NTSB study detected some disturbing trends, such as the fact that safety restraints seem to have little effect at protecting passengers in these big vans; and that fatality rates from rollovers, accidents, and collisions in these vans are trending sharply up.
Furthermore, NHTSA data show that the more loaded up with passengers these vans are, the higher their risk for rollover is. This likely has to do with simple physics. When a van is full, its center of gravity is higher, since the bulk of the weight of the van is ordinarily below seat level. And when you raise the center of gravity even by a few inches (for instance, by adding a few hundred pounds in passenger weight "up top"), you substantially increase the general risk of rollover.
Other problems with 15-passenger vans that can lead to accidents include the fact that most don't have airbags to protect all passengers. They also lack certain safety and stability features found on smaller vans and SUVs, and most models have a marked propensity towards fishtailing: that is, having the rear wheels skid out of control. Moreover, since these vans are so much bigger, passengers have a longer "escape route" to free themselves after a rollover.
Manufactures, distributors, and sellers of 15-passenger vans can be held legally liable for injuries that you and/or your passengers sustain in accidents or rollovers. But to make a comprehensive and well-timed case, you need the assistance of an experienced team of Washington 15 passenger van accident attorneys who have leveled personal injury lawsuits successfully. The Bernard Law Group can help. We've built a reputation for client satisfaction and results, and we have won dozens of multimillion-dollar verdicts on behalf of claimants. To get a free consultation, call us at 1-800-418-8282.
