VAN ACCIDENT

Vans come in a lot of different sizes. And they are used for different purposes. Some of them, particularly the 15-passenger variety, are used for commercial purposes, often as transportation within the airport (from terminal to terminal, or as rental car shuttles), as a hotel-to-airport shuttle, as a "jitney" within a community, as a church vehicle, etc. Somehow, these vehicles manage to escape many federal safety standards.

Larger vans like those described above are susceptible to rollover, often do not have seat belts, and become more dangerous with more weight in them. For example, in 2002, the National Transportation Safety Board released a report that said the center of gravity of a 15-passenger van actually rose when there were more than ten passengers in the van. In fact, statistics reveal that the rollover rate is three times more than if the van had fewer than five passengers. And 80% of people who die in accidents incurred in 15-passenger vans do not have a seat belt on. Sometimes a seat belt is simply not available. In cases like these, someone is at fault.

The fifteen-passenger is by no means the only van that can be potentially dangerous. Smaller vans also experience rollover problems, as do SUV's (sport utility vehicles). Roof crush, in which the roof caves in as a result of a rollover, is a problem of particular concern.

If you or a loved one has been in a van accident of any kind, you could very well have the right to collect compensatory and/or punitive damages from the party that is responsible for the accident. It is obviously best to consult with a professional to evaluate the options. Please do not hesitate to contact us at Ronaldson & Kuchler, as we are always here to help.

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Contact , Ronaldson & Kuchler Attorney Law Offices of Chicago, Illinois.