Liability in the Event of a Passenger Van Crash

Lever & Ecker, PLLC May 11, 2012 Car Accidents

Passenger van accidents can be devastating both to the occupants of the van and other drivers on the road. Determining liability can be challenging, since many different factors might come into play. Possible factors to consider in these accidents include:

Driver Negligence

Driver negligence could involve the driver of the van or other drivers on the road. In a negligence case, it must be proven that the driver in question was not paying proper attention, speeding or driving recklessly. Distractions like eating or cell phone use could play a role in driver negligence cases.

Proper Loading

Because of the way they are constructed, passenger vans must be properly loaded to be safe. This means avoiding too much weight on top of the vehicle that could make it unbalanced and prone to rollover. It could also entail keeping the driver’s line of vision free, rather than obstructing it with luggage or additional passengers.

Condition of Vehicle

Passenger vans must be properly maintained, particularly the tires. Tire blowouts are a common cause of van accidents and often occur when tires become worn and are not replaced in a timely fashion.

Rollover Accidents

Passenger vans are much more vulnerable to rollover accidents, either through driver inexperience or improper loading of the vehicle. If the accident can be attributed to the driver failing to maneuver the van properly in light of its load, or if the load itself was improperly placed, the van driver may be held liable.

Liability is a sticky issue that is best left to a professional. Those who were injured in a van accident can consult with an attorney experienced in these types of cases to see if a lawsuit is warranted.

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