Van Accident

An accident this week that involved two vehicles and a train caused Roosevelt Road, between Geneva and West Chicago, to be closed for approximately 90 minutes. The Beacon-News reports that a 51-year-old resident of West Chicago lost control of his van on the Union Pacific railroad tracks near the intersection due to icy conditions; subsequently, it crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a car driven by a St. Charles resident. The car then went off the roadway and struck a pole. The van stalled on the railroad tracks, but fortunately the driver escaped the vehicle before it was hit by an eastbound Metra commuter train. None of the 25 passengers on board the commuter train were injured, and the driver of the car was transported to the hospital with only minor injuries.

This motor vehicle and train accident could have been much more serious and resulted in life-threatening injuries, so it serves as an important reminder to Illinois residents to drive extra cautiously in the winter months. Here are some tips to help all motorists drive safely in icy conditions:

• Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts.
• For better visibility, use the defroster and windshield wipers.
• Give ample warning time to other drivers when turning, changing lanes, or stopping.
• Leave plenty of distance between you and other vehicles.
• If your vehicle does not have antilock brakes, pump the brakes slowly and gently; constant pressure may cause the brakes to lock.
• In the unfortunate event you skid, be sure to turn your wheels in the direction of the skid.
• Melting ice can cause very slippery road conditions, so be sure to drive slowly!

Passenger vans are a very popular means of transport, but they can also pose unique hazards to drivers as some models are defectively designed and may be dangerous or unstable. Passenger vans are also more likely to be involved in rollover accidents. All of these factors, combined with driver negligence or icy weather conditions, may endanger other motorists on the road and could lead to a very serious crash. The Chicago van accident lawyers of the Bradley Law Firm can help any IL resident who has been involved in an accident with a van receive compensation for their injuries. For a no-cost consultation with our legal team, call (312) 252-1488.

Fifteen-passenger vans first appeared on the U.S. market in 1972. Since then, the number of 15-passenger vans registered in the United States has climbed to nearly half a million as small groups, such as sports teams and church groups, began using these vans to transport groups. In most states, a special license or training is not required to drive a 15-passenger van. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), however, 15-passenger vans pose risks to drivers and occupants that differ from the risks posed by ordinary passenger vehicles.

According to an IIHS study, drivers are less likely to be injured or killed in a fifteen-passenger van crash than they are in a regular passenger vehicle crash. Passengers, however, are far more likely to suffer serious injuries or death in a fifteen-passenger van than in a smaller vehicle. The most common cause of serious injuries and death in these large vans comes from rollover accidents.

Rollover accidents are far more likely to occur in a 15-passenger van than they are in a smaller vehicle, even one with a high ground clearance like an SUV or a large pickup truck. The rollover risk is especially high when the van is fully loaded. A full load shifts the van’s center of gravity upward and toward the back, so a sharp swerve or collision is far more likely to push the van over.

At The Bradley Law Firm, our experienced Chicago auto accident attorneys are committed to helping those injured in car crashes get the compensation they need to move on after an accident. If you or someone you love has been injured in a 15-passenger van crash, please don’t hesitate to call us today at (800) 360-5072 for a free and confidential consultation.

Large vans that hold fifteen passengers are often used by groups that have too many people for a regular passenger car or van, but too few to justify the expense of a bus. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), however, 15-passenger vans pose a greater risk of rollovers and other accidents than either minivans or buses.

To help drivers and passengers stay safe in these large vans, the NHTSA offers the following tips:

1. Watch the van’s weight. The center of gravity in a 15-passenger van shifts upward and to the back when it is fully loaded, making the vehicle more likely to roll over. Load cargo and passengers in front of the rear axle whenever possible, and store heavy items as close to the floor of the van as you can.
2. Check the tires. A flat or blown tire can easily cause a 15-passenger van to roll or swerve and crash into another vehicle or object on the road. Check tires carefully each time you use the van.
3. Train drivers. Driving a 15-passenger van is not the same as driving a regular car, truck, or minivan. These vans handle differently and need more space to accelerate, turn, and stop. Make sure drivers have proper training and experience with handling 15-passenger vans.
4. Buckle up. Seat belts can help save the lives of drivers and passengers in a vehicle rollover accident. Make sure everybody in the vehicle puts on a seatbelt and leaves it on.

These vans can be useful for the right occasion, but crashes in them can also be dangerous. The experienced Illinois 15-passenger van accident attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm are ready to help those who have been injured in a crash. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (312) 252-1488.

Although buses are usually used to transport large groups of people for day trips, weekend trips, and tours, passenger vans are a popular mode of transportation for groups of 15 people or less. Churches, hotels, colleges, tour companies, and airports regularly use these types of vehicles. Unfortunately, these types of vans were not meant to carry passengers originally. They were initially manufactured as cargo vans, and, despite their increased use as passenger vans, were never redesigned to ensure passenger safety.

Passenger vans usually contain five rows of seats to accommodate up to 15 people, including the driver. Due to their size, they are federally classified as buses and must comply with the applicable safety standards, which, as the recent U.S. bus accidents demonstrated, were not up to par. It is the hope that the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Standards will affect passenger vans as well as buses, but, until then, passenger vans remain hazardous vehicles that threaten the health and safety of all on board.

Being longer, higher, and wider than smaller passenger vehicles, they require more reliance on side mirrors for changing lanes, longer braking distances, more controlled handling and, are at a greater risk of accidents, especially rollovers. Even with these risks, auto manufacturers continue to produce and sell passenger vans that are designed for cargo, not passenger safety.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are three main contributing factors to passenger van rollover accidents: inexperienced drivers, improperly inflated or sized tires, and incorrectly loaded cargo and/or passengers. Because passenger vans are not governed by the same regulations as other commercial vehicles, there is ongoing concern about the licensing and training drivers. Some states, including Illinois, have limited the use of passenger vans by schools, but this, unfortunately does not protect other Illinois organizations that regularly use them.

If you or a loved has been injured in a passenger van accident in Illinois, the skilled Chicago van accident attorneys at The Bradley Law firm can help you pursue compensation for your losses and damages from negligent drivers and/or defective auto manufacturers. Call one of our experienced lawyers today at 312-252-1488 to learn more about your legal rights and options.