Large Passenger Van Accident Lawyers

Why are 15-passenger vans so dangerous?

15-passenger vans were originally designed to transport cargo. As more people are placed inside, the more unstable they become, and the higher the risk of a rollover. With ten or more passengers, the risk of a rollover for a Ford E-350 increases by 300%. When fully loaded, nearly half of the van’s weight is distributed in the lower left quadrant. In fact, in the majority of 15-passenger van accidents, the rear left tire failed.

Does limiting the number of passengers to nine or removing the back seat make 15-passenger vans safer?

An E-350 loaded with nine passengers still has well over a 200% increased risk of a rollover.

Some insurance companies make removing the back seat a condition of coverage. An E-350 with the back seat removed still has 45% of the passenger load on the rear left wheel when fully loaded with eleven passengers.

Are 12-passenger vans safer than 15-passenger vans?

Many 12-passenger vans are basically 15-passenger vans with reconfigured seating. 12-passenger vans still have a significantly higher rollover risk than most any other vehicle on the road.

What about retrofitting 15-passenger vans with dual rear wheels?

While retrofitting an existing 15-passenger van with dual rear wheels does decrease the risk of a rollover, a better safety solution is to replace it entirely with alternative transportation like a crash-tested minivan or a small school bus. If you temporarily need to continue using unsafe large passenger vans, the rear wheels should be retrofitted by the original manufacturer or one of its authorized dealers.

Are school buses really safer considering that they don’t have seat belts?

Actually, comparably sized school buses under 10,000 pounds are required to have seat belts. Generally, however, school buses have better per road mile safety records than any other kinds of vehicles.

Our attorneys can answer additional questions you may have with regard to large passenger van accidents or many other personal injury matters. Please contact us today to find an experienced accident lawyer near you.