Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Fifteen-passenger vans are a popular way to move sports teams, extracurricular groups, church groups, and others when passenger cars don’t have enough seats but a full-sized bus isn’t necessary. While these vans can be very useful, they also pose particular safety risks. If you’re using a fifteen-passenger van this school year, keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Check the tires. Fifteen-passenger vans handle most safely when their tires are properly inflated and are in good condition, with good tread and no bald, stiff, or shiny spots. Check the van’s tires every time you drive.
• Always wear seat belts. Fifteen-passenger vans have a high risk of rolling over in an accident. The best protection against death in a rollover is wearing a seat belt, so require all passengers and the driver to wear a seat belt whenever the van is moving.
• Load cargo and passengers front to back. The van is more likely to roll when it is carrying weight over the rear axle. To reduce the risk of a rollover, load passengers and cargo front to back, keeping the weight forward of the rear axle whenever possible.
• Train drivers. Fifteen-passenger vans handle differently than passenger vehicles and pose different risks on the road. When possible, ensure drivers have the training they need to meet the challenges that fifteen-passenger vans pose.

Fifteen-passenger van accidents can cause serious injuries or even death, especially if the van rolls over. At Page Law, our aggressive van accident attorneys in Franklin County can help you fight for and win the compensation you need. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free, confidential case evaluation.

Fifteen-passenger vans are a common way for small groups, such as Scout troops, camp groups, or church groups to travel, especially during the summer. Due to the large size and build of these vans, however, they can be dangerous to drive. The high center of gravity makes them more likely to roll over in a crash, which can seriously injure the passengers. If your group is traveling in a fifteen-passenger van this summer, keep the following tips in mind to lessen your chances of an accident.

1. Use an experienced driver. Drivers who have never driven a fifteen-passenger van are at a higher risk for accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). Many states offer training for van drivers.
2. Inspect the vehicle before each trip. Worn tires pose an especially severe risk, because they may push the van off balance if they explode or deflate suddenly. Adjust mirrors, seats, and seatbelts before starting the van.
3. Load the vehicle properly. Keep all passengers and cargo in front of the rear axle whenever possible. Make sure that the total weight in the vehicle doesn’t exceed the vehicle’s weight rating.
4. Buckle up. Make sure everyone in the van puts a seatbelt on and keeps it on throughout the trip.
5. Stick to the speed limit. Speeding is another frequent cause of van rollover. Travel at or below the posted speed limit.

Keeping safety in mind can help everyone enjoy a safe, crash-free summer. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, however, the experienced Missouri passenger van crash lawyers at Page Law can help. Call us at 314-322-8515 today for a free and confidential consultation.