Serving Daytona, Deltona and Palm Coast

(updated 2/17/2017)

According to data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 5 million reported motor vehicle accidents in the United States in 2012 alone. Accidents involving cars, trucks, or vans have the potential to cause serious injuries to drivers and occupants, and in some cases may result in fatalities. Fifteen-passenger vans may be owned by individuals, but are also commonly used by colleges, faith-based groups, or businesses.

In certain circumstances, they may be used by a taxi or limousine service to get large groups from place to place. Whatever the context, a 15-passenger van accident has the potential to result in significant injury to the people involved. As a result, anyone involved in such an accident should be certain to contact an experienced Florida personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Driver Negligence and 15-Passenger Vans

Whether you are a passenger in a 15-passenger van or a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist sharing the road with one, accidents involving these vehicles can be devastating. A significant number of these accidents are the direct result of driver negligence. Some common examples of negligent driving that can easily lead to accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Failure to observe traffic signals
• Failure to yield
• Impaired driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Failure to properly maintain a vehicle
• Inattentive driving
• Not stopping at stop signs
• Failure to account for weather conditions

If the driver of a 15-passenger van in which you were riding was employed by a company, the legal doctrine of respondent superior may allow victims to bring a suit against the driver’s employer. Because of Florida’s no-fault insurance laws, the circumstances under which you can sue are limited, and you should be sure to discuss the circumstances of your accident with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

Fifteen-Passenger Van Accidents can be caused by:

• Defective Design
• Manufacture
• Marketing

Under general product liability principles, consumers injured by defective products may be able to recover for their losses under certain circumstances. This applies to all consumer products, including vehicles such as 15-passenger vans. There are three basic types of product liability claims:

Claims based on defective design – These types of cases arise when a van was designed in a way so as to make it inherently dangerous. For example, if a van’s design made it particularly prone to rollover accidents, victims may be recover from the party that designed the van.

Claims based on defective manufacture – Defective manufacture claims may arise if a van was safe to use as originally designed, but some defect or error in the manufacturing process caused it to be unsafe.

Claims based on defective marketing – These cases are also known as “failure to warn” cases. They arise when a product has an inherent danger that could easily be mitigated by a simple warning to the consumer.

These types of accidents often require intensive investigation as to the cause of the accident as well as a comprehensive understanding of the safety standards adopted by the automotive industry. As a result, anyone injured in a 15-passenger van accident that they suspect was caused by a defective van or defective van equipment should consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. You can call us at (386) 777-7777 or fill out our online contact form below for a free case evaluation.