Texas Personal Injury Lawyer: 15-Passenger Vans

Death and severe injury are most likely to occur in rollover situations, and the most likely vehicle to rollover is the 15-passenger van. In fact one study found that 85% of fully loaded vans rolled over during single-vehicle accidents (caused by, for example, swerving to avoid a road hazard or bad weather).

These vans are literally everywhere, and over a half million of them operate across the United States. Hotels and car rental agencies use them for airport pick-ups, church groups for transportation, and sightseeing companies use them for bus tours. School boards and school sports teams use these vans for transportation - sometimes illegally - so sadly it is often children and youths that are injured by these vans. One publicized accident occurred in February 2000 when four members of the Prairie View A&M track team died and the remaining six were severely injured in a rollover accident while trying to avoid an oncoming Jeep. That was the fourth major accident in four weeks across the country involving college sports teams; all the teams were driving Ford 15-passenger vans.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has alerted Congress and all three U.S. auto manufacturers about the dangers of these vans since 1973. The problem is that as people and cargo are loaded into these vans, the center of gravity moves toward the rear wheels and upward from the ground. The more people and cargo, the harder these vans are to control and the more likely they are to rollover.

However Congress refuses to pass legislature that would create safety standards maintaining rollover resistance. Many states have enacted their own regulations especially regarding school use of these vehicles, but Texas is not one of them.

The manufacturers themselves refuse to admit that there is even a problem at all.

The NTSB's most recent report, Evaluation of the Rollover Propensity of 15-passenger Vans (2002), stated the following:

• The risk of rollover increases from 12.7% when there are 5 or less passengers (or equivalent weight) in the van to 85% when loaded to its maximum rated 15 passengers.
• The risk of rollover increases dramatically as the speed increases.
• Tire-wear and blowouts can significantly increase the chance of a single-vehicle accident.
• Drivers who are not properly trained are more likely to rollover.
• Technology like electronic stability control (ESC) systems can reduce the risk of rollover.

If you or someone you love is injured in a 15-passenger van accident, the question of liability could become very complicated, and could be shared by the driver, the operating company, various government agencies, and even the automakers themselves. Make sure that your look after your own interests by contacting Jim S. Adler & Associates. We have over 30 years experience as Personal Injury Lawyers fighting for your rights - and making sure you get the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today for a free review!

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