Dallas Passenger Van Accident Lawyer

Injured in an accident or rollover involving a 12-passenger or 15-passenger van? Contact the personal injury lawyers at Rasansky Law Firm for a free consultation.

A van is considered a higher risk for roll-overs than most passenger cars because of its size, and as such, the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a loud and clear warning about van accidents.

A study released by the United States Department of Transportation indicated that passenger vans loaded with 11 passengers or more are up to three times more likely to roll over than vehicles with five or fewer occupants. The increased load capacity not only increases the center of gravity of these vehicles, but it increases the likelihood of catastrophic accidents leading to severe injuries for anyone involved.

Being injured in a passenger van collision can have a life-altering impact. People involved in these types of wrecks are often hospitalized and require months of medical treatment for their injuries. These accidents frequently lead to permanent disabilities that impact health and wellbeing indefinitely. Although there have been numerous advancements in treatment options, they all come at a substantial cost.

If you were injured in an accident as a result of another person’s negligence, you can benefit greatly by reaching out to a passenger van accident lawyer in Dallas as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation to help alleviate the financial burdens you face related to medical treatment, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering.

Rasansky Law Firm takes an aggressive approach to representing clients who are victims of passenger van accidents. We strive to help those harmed collect the maximum amount of compensation available so they are able to reach their recovery goals. For decades, our attorneys have fought to protect the legal rights of injured passenger van accident victims throughout the state of Texas to ensure they are in the best position possible to move forward after their accidents. Contact our law firm in Dallas at your earliest convenience to see how we can help you.

Large Van Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association urges van drivers and passengers–especially those of 15-passenger vehicles–to take “appropriate precautions to guard against the possibility of a tragic rollover crash.”

These types of vans are at a much higher rollover risk than other passenger vehicles especially when they are fully loaded with passengers or luggage.

The NHTSA also advised passengers to wear seatbelts at all times in order to avoid injuries from van wrecks–noting that 80 percent of all passengers that died from rollovers and van accidents were not wearing seat belts. The NHTSA also stated that driver inexperience is a growing problem and warned passengers to ensure that its van driver has appropriate training and experience.

Types of Passenger Vans

There are several different types of passenger vans used for many different purposes. Some of the most popular passenger vans that we see here in Dallas and throughout the state of Texas include:

15-Passenger Vans

When a group of people is traveling together to the same place, they can hire a van that carries as many as 15 passengers. These popular passenger vans are extremely versatile because of their capacity and overall size; however, it is those very same features that make these vehicles very prone to rollover accidents, particularly if the driver is negligent in their driving duties.

Handicap Vans

Dependable transportation service is essential to handicapped persons who might otherwise have a hard time getting to their doctor’s appointments, social functions, or other important destinations. Due to this, the driver and the transportation company have a duty to make safety a priority. This includes making sure that any chair lifts are in good working condition, passengers are safely loaded into and unloaded from the van, all equipment is fastened down properly, and the driver is not negligent. Handicapped van passengers and other drivers need to reach out to a personal injury lawyer if they are involved in an accident to ensure their right to financial compensation is protected.

Church Vans

A lot of churches use passenger vans or small buses to help disabled or elderly parishioners attend services. The church may also have vans and buses it uses to take members of their congregation to a special event or retreat. Sadly, church vans and buses are just as susceptible to accidents as any other vehicle. If you or a member of your family has been injured in a church van or bus accident, you are entitled by state law to bring the negligent parties to account.

No parishioner, obviously, wants to sue their church. If, however, the church was negligent in inspecting and maintaining its vehicles or training its drivers, you and your loved ones deserve recompense. In some situations, the church might not even be liable, with the accident being caused by a third party such as a repair facility or the manufacturer of the vehicle.

Cargo Vans

Cargo vans are unbalanced, oversized, and have engines that are usually too powerful for their stocky frames. In other words, they are an accident waiting to happen. While walking the line between personal transport and commercial hauling, vehicle manufacturers built a dangerous hybrid. These aberrations are industrial trucks, forged to haul freight, but dressed up as passenger vans. Cargo vans have extremely reduced visibility and a very high center of gravity, which increases their odds of overturning. In spite of numerous design flaws and a shameful safety record, these vans have remained popular through the years.

Why Are Passenger Vans So Dangerous?

The design of a passenger van is what makes it so inherently dangerous. Passenger vans have numerous design issues that make them prone to:

• Rollover accidents: As mentioned earlier, passenger vans have a very high center of gravity when compared to other vehicles on the roadway, meaning they are more likely to overturn. If a passenger van is involved in an accident, experiences a tire blowout, or swerves for any reason, the van’s height and momentum could easily cause a rollover accident. Passengers are more likely to sustain serious injuries or be thrown from the vehicle, especially if they are not buckled up.
• Improper loading: Passenger vans are also widely used to transport both passengers and cargo, usually on the same trip. If either one is loaded unevenly or improperly restrained, they can shift when the van moves, damaging cargo and causing injury to passengers. Furthermore, an accident could cause loose cargo to fly around the cabin and strike a passenger or even the driver.
• Atypical handling: Passenger vans take a significantly longer time to come to a complete stop. They also make wider turns and, in general, just handle differently than a standard passenger vehicle. If the driver of a passenger van is negligent, poorly trained, or inexperienced, they could easily cause a preventable accident.

Following a passenger van accident, you might be facing a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, muscle injuries, damage to your spinal cord, internal bleeding, and a lot more. Extensive medical treatments that cost thousands of dollars will most likely be required for you to achieve a full, physical recovery. By showing that the accident and your injuries were caused by another person’s negligence, you can secure financial compensation to cover your damages as well as your pain and suffering.

Common Causes of Passenger Van Accidents

Some of the most common causes of passenger van accidents are:

• Incompetent drivers
• Fatigued drivers
• Drivers carelessly backing up without looking
• Operators allowing more passengers on the van than legally permitted
• Drivers exceeding the legal speed limit
• Drivers or companies overloading the top rack of the vehicle with luggage
• Drivers or companies loading the van heavier than the total permissible weight of the van

If you or a loved one have sustained injuries or other damages in a passenger van accident, contact the Rasansky Law Firm and get an experienced passenger van accident lawyer to handle your case. There is no charge for an initial consultation.

How to Make a Passenger Van Trip as Safe as Possible

• Checking the tire pressure: Regardless of whether you have rented a van for a specific trip or it is owned by a school, church, or some other organization, you can not just assume that the tires are properly inflated and have received proper maintenance. You should always check the tire pressure before you leave and ensure it is at the correct level. Low tire pressure and poor tire quality can increase your chances of being involved in a rollover accident.
• Using fully trained drivers: While not required by law, you should always make certain that your driver has previous experience in handling this type of vehicle. Hopefully, if the vehicle belongs to a camp or a church, at least one of the staff members has a commercial driver’s license. Drivers need to get plenty of rest the night before and should never use a cell phone or other handheld device while they are driving.
• Not exceeding the speed limit: Passenger vans are much longer than standard passenger vehicles which makes them much harder to maneuver. When behind the wheel of a passenger van, you should never exceed the posted speed limit. Drivers should also be mindful to decrease their speed even further on treacherous roadways and in inclement weather.
• Not overloading the van: When every single seat already has a passenger in it, it can seem like a good idea to just load the cargo on top of the van. Unfortunately, this displaces the van’s center of gravity and raises your odds of being involved in a rollover accident. Never allow more than the maximum number of passengers to ride with you, and always read the manufacturer’s guidelines concerning proper storage and cargo capacity.

Common Injuries Sustained in Dallas Passenger Van Accidents

When van passengers are involved in motor vehicle accidents, injuries are the expected outcome. Some van-related injuries are minor and fairly easy to recover from, while others will be more serious and sometimes even deadly. Sadly, victims of passenger van accidents often sustain lacerations, burn injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma that can leave them permanently disabled. Here are some of the most common injuries sustained in passenger van accidents in Texas:

Lacerations

Lacerations, puncture wounds, and contusions to the face and limbs are common passenger van accident injuries. Due to the likelihood of a passenger van rollover, the odds of puncture wounds and lacerations are greatly increased. These injuries are usually the result of sharp metal, shattered glass, dash panels, and hard interior plastics. Lacerations on a person’s face tend to be the most serious because the face has the least amount of protection.

Burn Injuries

Broken and Fractured Bones

Even though most broken or fractured bones are not life-threatening, they can have a considerable impact on a person’s life. They can also greatly hinder their ability to undertake their normal daily routine and enjoy the same hobbies and pastimes as they did before the accident. Broken or fractured bones often require surgery and involve a lengthy rehabilitation process that includes painful physical therapy. The expenses associated with these kinds of injuries will add up fast and might not be covered by your insurance.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury is one of the most serious injuries that someone involved in a passenger van accident can sustain. Spinal cord injuries occur when the spine is severed or damaged in some way, which can result in partial or total paralysis below the point of injury. A spinal cord injury could leave a person unable to walk. In more catastrophic cases, the victim might be quadriplegic; a condition that causes the loss of the use of both of their arms and legs.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury is another severe and unfortunately common passenger van accident injury. A TBI can be caused by a sudden or violent impact to the head that causes damage to the brain. A TBI will be classed as either a closed head injury or an open head injury. The injured person could experience significant changes in their ability to process emotions, think, remember, and function independently for the rest of their lives.

If you or a member of your family has been injured in a passenger van accident, you absolutely need a qualified lawyer you can trust to fight for your best interests. The Dallas passenger van accident lawyers at Rasansky Law have decades of experience in handling even the most complex passenger van accident cases for their clients. Finding a lawyer you can depend on in this challenging and stressful time does not have to be a complicated endeavor.

Statistics Surrounding Fatal Passenger Van Accidents

The NHTSA compiled reports for fatal 15-passenger van accidents between 2007 and 2016 that showed alarming trends and common circumstances. These reports demonstrate the following:

• Approximately 41% of passenger van accidents involved occupants being ejected from the vehicle
• Roughly 11% of fatal accidents were caused by tire failure
• 70% of occupants killed in fatal van accidents were not wearing seatbelts
• 31% of fatal van accidents occurred during summer
• Vans with 10 or more passengers were involved in a fatal collision more often than those with fewer passengers

The drastic changes in weight from loading passengers into vans can cause immense pressure on tires that leads to blowouts. Furthermore, the weight of these vehicles at full capacity increases the chances of rolling over on curved or windy roads. If you were injured in a passenger van accident, or your loved one lost their life, contact Rasansky Law Firm to see what legal options are available for you.

Rasansky Law Firm Can Help You Recover

Our attorneys understand the challenges you face after being injured in a passenger van accident. Dealing with mental, emotional, and physical issues you will be presented with after going through something so traumatic is often daunting and overwhelming. These issues can make it particularly stressful for you to deal with insurance companies to try to get compensation for your injuries. You will benefit immensely by reaching out to a Dallas passenger van accident lawyer from Rasansky Law Firm as soon as possible. Let us take the stress off of you and handle your case to the best possible outcome.

Our attorneys provide responsive and effective legal representation to ensure your legal rights are protected. We will perform all necessary tasks for each client’s case, including:

• Investigating your accident: Our attorneys conduct an independent investigation into the accident for each client we work with. In doing so, we go to the site of the accident and take pictures, record videos, gather dashcam footage, and seek surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses. Whenever necessary, we work with experts who can recreate the accident to show critical details including speeds of each vehicle involved, the impact of weather conditions, and various other factors to support your claim.
• Gathering evidence to prove damages: Rasansky Law Firm’s passenger van accident lawyers in Dallas will gather medical bills, medical care plans and records, information about lost wages, and various other types of evidence for your damages claim. We strive to ensure our clients are in the best position possible to prove all of their financial and other losses after enduring a passenger van accident in Texas.
• Filing documents for your lawsuit: The Dallas passenger van accident lawyers at Rasansky Law Firm will represent you completely during the claims process, including filing each document on time and accurately to ensure you are in the best position possible to get the justice you deserve.
• Maintaining communication with you throughout the entire process: Our clients are the heart of what we do. For this reason, we will always include you in the process by keeping you informed of what is happening at every step along the way. While working with us, you can expect individualized attention to your case that caters to your unique needs and the circumstances surrounding your claim. We will provide you with a copy of every document, petition, and piece of evidence for your claim to ensure you are always in the loop.
• Getting you the justice you deserve: Our team will build a meticulous case against those at-fault to demand full and fair compensation on your behalf. If we are unable to come to a settlement agreement that is satisfactory, we have no qualms with going to trial to ensure you obtain the outcome you expect for your claim.

The attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm strive to help each client move forward from their accident in the best possible position. Our attorneys are available for a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact our law firm today to see how we can help you.

Who is Liable for My Dallas Passenger Van Accident?

There could be multiple people that may be held responsible for the injuries you sustained in a Dallas area passenger van accident.

One person that could potentially be liable for your passenger van accident is the van’s driver. If they engaged in negligent driving behaviors while transporting passengers, they can be held accountable for the damages their negligence caused.

If the vehicle malfunctions in some way and that malfunction leads to an accident, the manufacturer of the van could be held liable. So, if an improperly placed axle causes a crash, the manufacturer would most likely be responsible.

If you are unsure about who is responsible for your passenger van collision, our Dallas passenger van accident attorneys can help you determine the liable party or parties.

Proving Negligence in a Dallas Passenger Van Accident

In order to claim damages in a personal injury suit for a Dallas passenger van accident, you may have to show that the defendant was negligent. This is often more difficult than it sounds, because solid evidence is required to prove your case. To demonstrate negligence, you will need to be able to prove that the four elements of negligence were present. Those four elements are:

• That the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff
• That the defendant violated that duty of care
• Due to the violation, the defendant caused an accident
• The plaintiff sustained injuries and other damages as a result of the accident

If these four elements are successfully established, the plaintiff is eligible for economic and non-economic damages. These damages are compensatory and typically consist of:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of fellowship

Rasansky Law Firm is ready to help you fight for the full amount of financial compensation that you are entitled to after being injured in a serious Dallas passenger van accident. Contact us to get the help you need.

Compensation Available to Victims Injured in Passenger Van Accidents

The time following a passenger van accident can be overwhelming. Not only are you forced to deal with mental, emotional, and physical issues, but also often burdened by stacking medical bills, lost wages, and various other financial costs. Working with a Dallas passenger van accident lawyer at Rasansky Law Firm after your accident will ensure you are able to get the maximum amount of compensation available for your claim. Our attorneys strive to help our clients collect full and fair compensation for economic damages they face, including:

• Medical bills
• Long-term care costs for therapy, medication, and hospitalization
• Lost wages due to doctor appointments and missing work to recover
• Lost earning capacity if you can never return to work
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs

Additionally, you may be able to obtain compensation for various non-economic damages you face. Rasansky Law Firm’s passenger van accident lawyers in Dallas are committed to helping our clients collect the maximum amount of compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of life enjoyment

In cases where a person passes away due to their injuries, we help their families collect compensation by filing wrongful death claims for lost benefits, funeral costs, burial service expenses, and more. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping families recover so they can reach their goals and move forward after these traumatic and life-changing experiences. If you sustained injuries in an accident, due to the negligence of another driver, contact our passenger van accident lawyers in Dallas to see how we can help you.

Speak With a Dallas Personal Injury Attorney For Free

Every year, thousands of people throughout the United States are forced to go to hospitals for emergency medical treatment following passenger van accidents. Although we like to think that everyone recovers completely from these accidents, this is far from the truth. Some unfortunately pass away and leave their families in grief and financial ruin.

Thousands more are left permanently impaired and have to deal with pain and suffering indefinitely. This can also lead to many mental health challenges as well. If you were injured in an accident as a result of another driver’s reckless or negligent actions, contact a Dallas passenger van accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.

Being injured in a van accident is going to be stressful no matter what, but don’t let it be any worse than it has to be. Let our lawyers take some of that burden off of you by representing you legally and fighting for your legally due compensation.

Our team provides effective and responsive legal guidance to ensure our clients are in the best position possible to move forward after a passenger van accident in Texas. If you were injured in an accident as a result of another person’s actions, get an experienced van accident lawyer to handle your case. There is no charge for an initial consultation.