Maryland Church + 15 Passenger Van Accident Lawyer

Every day, thousands of Maryland residents board 15 passenger vans to attend church services, weddings, and other events. But while 15 passenger vans may be widely used, they can also be extremely dangerous. Due to their unique design, 15 passenger vans are susceptible to tire blowouts and rollover accidents, which can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If your or one of your family members was injured in a 15 passenger van accident in Maryland, Rice, Murtha & Psoras is here to provide compassionate legal help.

Our 15 passenger van crash lawyer has years of experience helping injury victims fight for accident compensation in Maryland. He may be able to help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages you suffered because of the accident. Contact us online today to set up a free legal consultation, or call Rice, Murtha & Psoras 24/7 at (410) 694-7291 for help.

15 Passenger Van Accident Statistics

Accidents involving 15 passenger vans happen more frequently than most people realize. During the period from 1994 to 2004, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported a total of 1,512 fatal accidents, more than 500 of which were rollovers.

In more recent data, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a total of 509 passenger van occupant fatalities from 2007 to 2016. Over 10% of the victims were killed in rollover accidents caused by tire failure, and more than 40% were ejected from the vehicle. Overall, rollover accidents are responsible for approximately 60% of crash fatalities, according to NHTSA data.

Causes of 15 Passenger Van Rollover Accidents in Maryland

A high percentage of fatal 15 passenger van accidents are rollovers, which occur when a total loss of control causes the vehicle to flip over. These types of accidents are frequently caused by sudden tire failure, which causes dangerous swerving. To lower the risk of tire failure and sudden blowouts, the NHTSA recommends checking all tires “at least once a week, [and] using the manufacturer’s recommended pressure levels,” remembering that there may be different recommendations for the front and rear tires.

Though common, tire inflation problems are not the only issues that can cause crashes. 15 passenger van accidents can also be caused by factors such as:

  • Allowing too many passengers to ride in the van
  • Distracted driving
  • Driver fatigue
  • Inexperience driving 15 passenger vans
  • Intoxicated driving
  • Loading cargo onto the roof of the van, which the NHTSA and other groups recommend avoiding

Occasionally, factors like unsafe road design or defective automotive parts can also cause an accident. Accidents are especially likely to occur in areas like highway ramps, intersections, left-hand turns, sharp corners, and construction zones, particularly when roads are slick or visibility is poor.

Injuries Caused by 15 Passenger Van Accidents

NHTSA statistics show that large numbers of 15 passenger van crash victims are ejected from the vehicle. When a person is ejected from a vehicle, he or she is likely to suffer the following injuries:

  • Broken bones or dislocated joints from impact with the ground
  • Cuts and bleeding from broken glass
  • Scrapes and “road rash” from friction against the road surface

Even when a seatbelt restrains the passenger during the rollover, catastrophic injuries can still occur. Types of injury claims that our Baltimore church van accident lawyer can assist you with include:

  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions or skull fractures
  • Hip injuries, such as pelvic fractures
  • Knee injuries
  • Loss of limbs, fingers, or toes
  • Paralysis and spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
  • Permanent disability or impairment resulting from your injury
  • Severe bruising
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Torn ligaments
  • Whiplash neck injuries

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit for a 15 Passenger Van Accident in Maryland

If you were injured because of another person’s negligence, you may have a passenger van accident claim. After reviewing your case in a free consultation, our attorney can determine whether you might have a potential claim against the driver who was transporting you, the driver who hit you, or other parties who may be at fault for your injuries. If the accident was caused by a tire blowout or tire defect, liable parties may include the tire manufacturer or the person who installed and inspected the tires. it may be possible to get compensated for surgery, medication, physical therapy, hospitalization, and other medical expenses, along with damages like lost earnings, pain and suffering, and anticipated future expenses.

Call Our Maryland Church + 15 Passenger Van Accident Attorney Today

If you were hurt in a 15 passenger van accident in Maryland, you should talk to an experienced attorney about your legal options. Depending on how the accident happened, you may have a claim for injury compensation, including compensation for accident-related losses that you are expected to sustain in the future. For a free legal consultation about your 15 passenger van accident, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras online today, or call 24 hours at (410) 694-7291 for assistance.