Jacksonville 15 Passenger Van Rollover Lawyers

Lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida

15 passenger van rollover accidents have been gaining increased visibility over the past few years due to their frequency and their all-too-high death toll. The statistics are staggering, fifteen-passenger vans were involved in 376 fatal rollover crashes in the 17 years from 1982 to 1999. Those crashes killed 581 – six of every 10 persons riding in the vans. It is no wonder that the United States Department of Transportation repeatedly warns consumers against traveling in these vehicles.

One of the main issues with these types of vans is defective design. The 15-passenger van has a high center of gravity. That center shifts even higher and rearward as more cargo and occupants board the van. The rearward shift gives the van a propensity to "fishtail" and the upward shift increases its likelihood of overturning. This combination of forces compounds the risk of rollover in emergency driving situations.

Defective design isn’t the only thing that can contribute to 15 passenger van rollover accidents. A 2005 study showed that 74 percent of these vans had problems with tire inflation that could significantly increase the risk of a rollover accident. In fact, the higher the occupancy of the van, the higher the risk – the rollover rate of vans with ten or more passengers was almost three times as high as the risk for the same van loaded with a smaller number of passengers. The fact that many people do not wear seatbelts in these vans increases the risk even more.

It is recommended that anyone using a 15 passenger van wear their seatbelts at all times and be vigilant about tire pressure; the risk of overload, especially when cargo is carried atop the vehicle; and be up to date on driving laws and tactics. These can reduce the risk of a Jacksonville 15 passenger van rollover, but they can’t minimize its potential consequences – everything from lacerations and bruises to broken bones, paralysis, brain injury, and even death. In fact, the risk of a 15 passenger van rollover is so high that federal rules prevent schools from using these vehicles to transport children.

No matter what the safety precautions, accidents – and 15 passenger van rollovers – do happen. At Farah & Farah, we have over 25 years of experience helping personal injury victims like you – and our track record of success is one of the best in the industry. If you have been injured in a 15 passenger van rollover accident in Florida, call Farah & Farah today for a free case consultation.