Van Rollover Accidents
More and more each day, 15-passenger vans are becoming a common way for a lot of individuals to be transported to their jobs, travel to and from the airport, or carry various commercial goods to certain businesses. However, you should know that since these vans tend to be of a much larger and heavier size than many other vehicles, the operators of such vans must follow different laws and speed limits than their smaller counterparts. Still, in New Jersey, the rate of 15-passenger van accidents is ever increasing. If you own a van, then it might be a good to make sure that you have the right insurance to go with it. This is particularly important if you are using the van for work. You can check out this business van insurance any driver here to give you a better idea of what you should get.
Since a lot of 15-passenger vans are used for commercial reasons, the laws governing them are quite particular. In fact, an Elizabeth van rollover lawyer will tell you that most commercially-operated vehicles are required to carry supplemental insurance coverage, and the operators of these vans must have special licenses. Additionally, there are maximums with regard to the number of passengers who are allowed to ride in these vehicles, and the baggage and/or other cargo must never be more than the pre-established limits.
If You’ve Been in a Van Rollover Accident, Seek Legal Assistance
Regrettably, a lot of the accidents that 15-passenger vans are involved in within the state of New Jersey entail violations of the applicable laws. Accordingly, any passenger who has been involved in an accident in a 15-passenger van should seek the services of an Elizabeth van rollover lawyer prior to:
- agreeing to any type of settlement,
- talking to the van company’s owners or agents, or
- signing any paperwork.
Because the van companies usually have a group of lawyers or insurance reps that will attempt to convince passengers to admit that another driver was at fault (or there was some other reason for the accident), having your own independent attorney might be of great help.
Even in cases where the passengers have signed some type of release from liability, that does not give the driver of the van a free pass to be able to cause damages or injuries without the possibility of being held responsible. Only an independent investigation can expose the facts of a 15-passenger van accident, and your Elizabeth van rollover lawyer can help with that. Please call Dan Matrafajlo at 908-248-4404 to receive a free consultation about your case, and let him start working on your behalf right away.
15-passenger vans have a higher center of gravity and a longer wheelbase than typical passenger vehicles, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo toward the rear — this weight distribution makes them significantly more likely to roll over during sudden steering maneuvers, tire blowouts, or evasive actions than a standard car or SUV.
Commercially-operated vans are typically required to carry supplemental insurance coverage, and their drivers must hold special licenses beyond a standard driver's license. There are also strict maximums on the number of passengers and the amount of baggage or cargo the vehicle can carry, which are frequently violated in practice.
Common causes include overloading the vehicle beyond its rated capacity, tire blowouts or defects, driver inexperience with the vehicle's handling characteristics, excessive speed for the van's higher center of gravity, sudden evasive maneuvers, and poor road or weather conditions combined with the vehicle's design vulnerabilities.
Liability can extend to the van's driver, the company that owns or operates the van, the employer if the van was used for work transportation, a maintenance provider if defective equipment (such as tires) contributed to the rollover, and potentially the vehicle manufacturer if a design defect played a role.
Yes. Exceeding a van's established passenger or cargo limits significantly increases rollover risk, and if a company knowingly overloaded the vehicle in violation of applicable limits, this can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a subsequent claim.
If a mechanical defect, tire failure, or inadequate maintenance contributed to the rollover, you may have an additional claim against the maintenance provider, leasing company, or manufacturer, separate from any claim against the driver — this is common in commercial van fleets where maintenance responsibility is often outsourced or inconsistently handled.
Because rollovers involve the vehicle overturning, injuries tend to be more severe than in typical collisions — common injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and in serious cases, ejection-related injuries or fatalities, particularly for passengers not wearing seatbelts.
Surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim against the driver, van company, employer, or other liable parties, in addition to seeking compensation for medical expenses incurred before death, funeral costs, and loss of financial support and companionship.
