What Do You Do After a Van Accident in Seattle?
Does it seem like there are more and more mini-vans traveling our roadways? Yes, in fact, there are, because mini-vans easily haul families and their gear from Point A to Point B. There’s plenty of room and are known to be “safe” for groups to travel in. Until the mini-vans are involved in serious injury accidents, that is. Therein lays the rub. Many people are not aware that mini-vans have an equally high risk of serious injury accidents. In fact, mini-vans are equally well-known for being in a rollover van accident.
Have you or a loved one suffered a serious life-changing van accident injury? Did you lose someone you love to this kind of accident? Are you dealing with horrendous medical bills? And rightly scared for your future? Contact our Seattle van accident lawyers for help.
Let Our Seattle Van Accident Lawyers help!
When negligent drivers forget their safety minds at home, and leave caution to the wind, they cause serious injury accidents. If you and your loved ones are in a van accident caused by a negligent driver, you need a van accident lawyer in Seattle to partner with.
Premier Law Group has firsthand knowledge and experience with van accident injuries. We know and understand the claim process, and the best next steps to help you get the accident compensation that you deserve. Let us collect all the accident evidence, deal with pushy claims adjustors, and manage the claims process for you and your loved ones.
Call Premier Law Group today at 206.285.1743 for a Free Consultation!
What Makes Mini-Vans Unique?
Mini-vans have unique designs to make them roomy and safely carry full families and all the gear that families need today. Mini-vans are larger and heavier than standard sedans, but not as large and heavy as big SUVs. This means that mini-van accidents with smaller vehicles result in few serious injury accidents for van passengers.
But this is not the case when larger vehicles collide with mini-vans. Mini-vans have a high center of gravity. This keeps them stable while on the roadway. But when a mini-van collides with a large SUV or semi-truck, this is a distinct disadvantage. The collision can tip the van over, and into a rollover accident. Mini-van designs just are not fool-proof in accidents with larger vehicles.
What Are the Dangers to Van Passengers
It is known that mini-vans have serious inherent design issues that make them unsafe in collisions. In fact, as more and more families travel together in mini-vans, there have been many concerns about their road safety.
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a crash test of four mini-vans to study van accident impacts. The study focused on four models — the 2014-2015 Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Town & Country, and Dodge Grand Caravan.
The crash test simulated a driver’s side collision with another vehicle, a tree, and a pole. Researchers found that the Nissan Quest, Chrysler Town & Country, and Dodge Grand Caravan did not absorb the crash impacts well. These tests conclusively showed that drivers of these mini-vans would be severely injured. Further, only the Toyota Sienna held up well in the crash tests.
Van Accident and Injury Statistics
In our state, the Washington State Patrol Collision Analysis Tool (CAT) collects the data for van accidents. Some of their results reveal the following statistics:
- (530) passenger van accidents happen every year
- 65% of all van accidents happen someplace in King County
- 41% of all van accidents result in serious injuries for drivers and passengers.
In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 41% of van passengers who died in van accidents, were thrown from the van during a rollover crash.
Causes of Mini-Van Accidents
What are the causes of mini-van injury accidents? Primarily mini-van accidents are caused by human negligence and error, complicated by the van’s design. The high center of gravity makes vans susceptible to rollover accidents, particularly when the van is fully loaded.
The primary van accident causes are the same as all motor vehicle accidents – human negligence caused by the following:
- Alcohol and drug impairment
- Speeding
- Inattention behind the wheel and going off the road
- Young and inexperienced drivers
- Older drivers with less quick reactions
In the aftermath, van drivers and their families have to deal with long recoveries and many questions about the best next steps.
Getting Legal Help After Your Van Accident
That’s why families need legal help after a van accident. Most accident victims have enough on their plates, just trying to recover from injuries. Meanwhile aggressive claims adjustors working for the insurance company are pushing victims to accept settlement offers. Their job is to trick people with injuries to sign off on their settlement offer ASAP, with as little money as possible compensating the victim.
After an auto accident, there are many compelling reasons to get the help of an experienced van accident attorney in Seattle. For example:
- A negligent driver caused the accident
- A negligent and uninsured driver caused the accident
- Aggressive claims adjustors, trying to force you to sign off on their settlement offer, before you even know the full extent of your injuries!
Meanwhile, your injuries are so much worse. You cannot work nor can you take care of your family.
The Premier Law Group Difference!
As your “difference maker,” you always work with YOUR ATTORNEY — not just a paralegal. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions, and help you build your case.
Most importantly, our attorneys know how to collect all the evidence and fight for your rights following your van accident. Count on your Seattle van accident attorney to:
- Collect Police Reports
- Talk with Eyewitnesses
- Determine accident fault and negligence
From this fact-finding, your attorney builds your case and files claims for compensation. We negotiate FOR YOU and your loved ones.
Don’t sign off on an insurance claim until you talk with us. Focus on healing, and let your Seattle van accident lawyer collect evidence and handle the claim details.
Contact an Expert Seattle Van Accident Attorney!
Call Premier Law Group! Get your FREE Consultation Today!
You always work directly with a van accident attorney in Seattle and we are available to you 24/7.
Call 206.285.1743 Today!