When a company, school, or religious group needs to transport more than a dozen individuals at a time, they commonly turn to a 15-passenger van to do the job. The vehicle was introduced to the United States in the 1970s and now there are more 670,000 registered 15-passenger vans across the country.
These vans situate the driver and passenger in the front with three more rows offering 13 additional seats. Commonly these types of vans are used by religious groups, corporations, and even airports to safely take passengers from one location to another.
Unfortunately, these passenger vans are also dangerous due to their higher center of gravity and higher likelihood of rolling over in the event of a crash.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a passenger van accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages and more.
To schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation, fill out the CASE EVALUATION form to your right.
15-Passenger Van Accident Statistics
Due to the high-risk of these using these vehicles, several organizations have done studies on the crash rates of passenger vans, including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Tennessee Department of Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Some statistics on 15-passenger vans include:
- There were more than 1,500 fatal 15-passenger van collisions in the United States between 1994 and 2004
- In 2007, there were more than 380 fatal van accidents in Tennessee, 26 of which were in Knox County
- Of the 1,512 accidents between 1994 and 2004, 34% were rollover crashes
- Between 1994 and 2007 in Tennessee, the majority of crashes occurred on Friday afternoons
According to the NHTSA, the odds of a 15-passenger van rolling over increased by 400 percent if the van was fully loaded compared to if only the driver was in the vehicle. However, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety, the majority of the fatal accidents in the state between 1994 and 2007 involved only one occupant.
Causes of 15-Passenger Van Accidents
Most anyone can drive a 15-passenger van, as most states, including Tennessee, do not require any special licensing. Unfortunately, most drivers are inexperienced in handling such a large vehicle, which can increase the likelihood of an accident occurring. In Tennessee the majority of 15-passenger van crashes were caused by the failure to stay in the proper lane.
Some other causes of 15-passenger van accidents include:
- Driving Under the Influence
- Speeding
- Failing to Yield
- Fatigued Driving
- Tire Blowouts
- Failing to Obey Traffic Signs and Signals
- Overload (with cargo or passengers)
- Improper Vehicle Maintenance
According to the IIHS, of the vehicle accidents studied between 2007 and 2011, 17% of fatally injured passenger van drivers had a blood alcohol concentration above the state limit.
Another common factor in fatal 15-passenger van accidents is that the majority of vehicle occupants are unrestrained at the time of the crash. The IIHS notes that approximately 62% of fatally-injured occupants in accidents between 2007 and 2011 were not wearing seatbelts. It is important that all persons within the vehicle wear their seatbelt in order to minimize the possibility of being fatally or seriously injured in case of an accident.
Contact our Knoxville Passenger Van Collision Attorneys Today
Each day more than a dozen individuals get into a passenger van expecting to arrive to their destination safely. Unfortunately, some of them may end up involved in a collision instead. If you or a loved one has been injured in a 15-passenger van accident caused by another individuals carelessness, the victim may be entitled to compensation for their suffering.
At Greg Coleman Law, we are ready to help all those who are seeking legal counsel, and will fight for your right to fair and just compensation. With more than 40 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys are pleased to serve the entire Nashville, Tennessee area including:
- Madison
- Hendersonville
- Franklin
- Ashland City
and many more local towns and cities. For more information on your legal rights and to schedule a free initial case consultation, contact us today at (865) 247-0080. Our intake staff will connect you with one of our lawyers best suited in handling your claim.
You may also contact us online by filling out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form at the top right hand corner of this page it's FREE to submit and completely confidential.
