There are about 500,000 15-passenger vans that are used on our roads in the United States. These types of vans are used by shuttle van services, hotels, churches, school groups, and other organizations. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in rollover accidents in recent years associated with these types of vans resulting in serious injury and even wrongful death.
The Dangers of the Design
These vans are susceptible to rollovers due to their lengthened design and the fact that they are inherently top heavy and unstable. With most 15-passenger vans, the back end was merely extended to provide for more seating room, however, the rear axle of the van remained in the same position. This results in seating for 4 people behind the rear axle of the van. If the van swerves, then the van has a tendency to swing around in the back because of the extra weight behind the axle.
These vans have a high center of gravity and when fully loaded with passengers they become super top heavy. When the increase in weight in the back seating area is combined with the heavy top weight of the vehicle, it makes the 15-passenger van more likely to tip over. The vehicle also becomes very difficult to control in any sort of emergency situation.
When 10 or more people ride in a 15-passenger van, the risk of a rollover crash increases greatly according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, many 15-passenger van accident victims are injured or killed due to the fact that they do not have their seat belts on when one of these vans rolls over. It is recommended that organizations that insist on using these vans confirm that enough functioning seat belts are present and urge their passengers to wear a seat belt.
Poor maintenance and driving inexperience can also contribute to Mississippi 15-passenger van accidents. The high rollover risk makes it imperative that tires not be allowed to become worn or old and that tire pressure be maintained. Old tires or tires with improper air pressure may lead to a tire blowout which can start a dangerous rollover accident. These vans also do not handle like an ordinary passenger vehicle because of their extended length and weight distribution so organizations should use an experienced driver to reduce the risk of rollover accidents.
These vans are not that safe for group travel, and there are other vehicles like mini vans and small school buses that are safer to use for the transport of large groups. If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury or has been killed in a 15 passenger van accident, contact our personal injury attorneys at the Mississippi law office of Barrett Law PLLC. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge of the design defects associated with these vans to effectively represent Mississippi 15 passenger van accident victims. We offer a free case evaluation so call us today at (662) 834-2376 so that we can explain your rights and options.