Two members of a church group visiting Oregon died last week in a Ford E-350 fifteen-passenger van rollover. News reports on the Oregon auto accident stated that the van hit icy conditions, drove off I-84 near Baker City, and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top near the center median.
Crash scene investigators have reportedly completed their work at the Oregon car crash site and will now attempt to determine the exact cause of the rollover crash. Causes of the resulting deaths include several notable possibilities. Products liability issues arising out of fifteen-passenger vans like the Ford E-350 involved in the wreck may include, among others: roof collapse failure; seatbelt and seatbelt release failures; airbag malfunction; and door locks opening or unlatching. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), a fifteen-passenger van is more likely to be involved in a single-vehicle rollover crash than any other type of vehicle.
NHTSA research has shown that fifteen-passenger vans have a rollover risk that increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases from fewer than five to more than ten. Fifteen-passenger vans with ten or more occupants had a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that nearly tripled the rate of those that had fewer than five occupants. This increased risk generally occurs because the passenger weight raises the vehicle’s center of gravity and causes the center to shift rearward. The van then has less resistance to rollover and handles differently from other commonly driven passenger vehicles, making it more difficult for most drivers to control in an emergency situation.
Vehicle fitted by their manufacturers to transport fifteen people should not become unstable and hard to control when they are used to transport fifteen people. As a Public Citizen report on fifteen-passenger van rollover crashes showed, however, the rear of a fifteen-passenger van may extend four feet or more beyond the rear wheels. This design defect makes the vehicles more likely to roll. Though overall statistics show the number of deaths in 15‐passenger van rollover crashes has been declining steadily since 2001, the NHTSA warns that these vehicles still pose a safety risk to occupants. Tips for improving van safety through driving are available on the NHTSA website.
If you have been seriously injured or a loved one has been killed in a Ford E-350 15 passenger van rollover accident or other SUV rollover accident, Portland, Oregon injury lawyer Dane Johnson offers a free case consultation. The Law Office of Dane E. Johnson welcomes your contact online, or call attorney Dane Johnson toll free at (800) 714-3204.
Related Web Resources
NHTSA, New Safety Advisory on 15-Passenger Vans Issued.
NHTSA, Fatalities to Occupants of 15-Passenger Vans, 2003-2007.
NHTSA, Reducing the Risk of Rollover Crashes in 15-Passenger Vans.
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