Representation for Victims of Van Accidents in Nebraska
Vans are popular vehicles for groups traveling to special events. Sports teams, musicians, academic clubs, and church groups use 15-passenger vans for the convenience of traveling together in one vehicle. Although they may be convenient and cost-effective, these vehicles come with a high risk of injuries and fatalities in rollover accidents.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that the risk of a rollover accident increases with each occupant added to a 15-passenger van by 9-12% per occupant. The rollover risk with a fully-loaded 15-passenger van is nearly 400 times the risk of a driver traveling alone. In comparison, rollover risk with fully-loaded vehicles increases by 20% in cars, 50% in pickups, and 100% in minivans and SUVs.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a van accident, your best course of action is to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our Omaha van accident attorneys at Cullan & Cullan LLC can help you pursue compensation from responsible parties. Insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. Our talented trial lawyers are also physicians, and we are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients. Contact us today at (402) 882-7080 for a free consultation.
Factors Contributing to Rollover Accidents in Vans
15-passenger vans have a high center of gravity that gets higher with each additional passenger. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the rollover risk with 10 or more occupants in 15-passenger vans is nearly 3 times the risk with fewer than 5 occupants.
These vans are longer and taller than other passenger vehicles. This increases the risk of rollover and makes these vehicles more difficult to handle. Inexperienced drivers may have trouble backing up, negotiating corners, or performing other maneuvers.
As vans have a high center of gravity, it is important that weight is properly distributed in the vehicle. Heavily loading 15-passenger vans can put excess weight on the left rear tires because of seating configurations. This can result in blowouts that can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Parties Responsible for Van Accident Injuries
After a serious van accident, the party whose negligence caused the accident may be held accountable for injuries sustained by others. Depending on the circumstances, the responsible party may be:
- The driver of the van - if the driver was distracted, inattentive, speeding, driving aggressively, or otherwise negligent.
- The driver of another vehicle - if the van was involved in a collision caused by the other driver’s negligence.
- The rental agency from which the van was obtained - if the agency failed to properly inspect and maintain the van, resulting in the accident and injuries.
Van accidents and rollovers can cause serious injuries or death. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a van accident in Nebraska, contact Cullan & Cullan LLC as soon as you can. We have devoted our practice exclusively to representing injured people. Our Omaha car accident attorneys have the skills, background, resources, and record of success you want on your side. Call (402) 882-7080 now.