Recreational Vehicle Injuries and RV Safety
Over the course of this year, with the pending closures of schools and businesses due in-part by regulations passed to curtail the pandemic, many people decided it was time to take extended vacations. Or sell their homes and travel around the United States. And the RV (recreational vehicle) industry has been working overtime to keep inventory in stock. But, is an RV safe and what happens if you or a family member is injured while utilizing an RV?
You might think of an RV as something you tow behind your vehicle but in actuality it’s a classification for a group of vehicles that allow the user to carry camping, animals or off road toys to various destinations.
An RV designation includes…
- Motor home (class A, B or C)
- Trailer (a fifth wheel, a folding camping trailer or another type)
- Truck camper
- Park model RV (like a tiny house on wheels)
- Horse trailer or other specialty RV
A motor home (Class A, B or C) usually contain appliances, the ability to carry water, propane and various equipment like generators, furnaces and overhead storage. Each one of those presents a liability to the passengers when traveling. A trailer or tow behind, although may carry items such as in a motor home, usually aren’t occupied by passengers while in transit.
Many new RV owners fail to take into consideration that driving or towing a recreational vehicle is different than driving a car or truck. They just assume it’s the same skillset and are just overjoyed at owning this new means of travel. That’s when mistakes happen. Most RV’s are longer or wider than tradition vehicles and require more space on the road. Drivers need to compensate for the extra length and width when turning, crossing lanes or entering or exiting traffic. Oh, and sudden stops could lead to interior equipment, accessories and even décor dislodging and injuring passengers.
Who’s at fault when injuries occur as a result of an RV?
That depends. Many factors are looked at, and what may seem cut and dry as to who is responsible may not always be the case. Sometimes it’s the manufacturers fault. As I stated the RV industry has been working overtime to produce inventory. That inventory might have been rushed and when that happens protocols are missed. Safety measures designed to protect the operator are overlooked. Bolts not tightened correctly. Electrical systems not up to par. Appliances not mounted correctly. The list goes on. Those deficiencies in workmanship can lead to injuries.
If the RV operator was the cause of the accident which injured the passengers or the injuries were sustained when a negligent driver hit the RV it’s always a good idea to call a law firm experienced in vehicle accidents.
The Law Offices of David W. Holub is a personal injury law firm located in Merrillville, Indiana, focused on providing efficient and effective client-centered representation. Our mission is to provide top quality legal representation, which includes an uncompromising pursuit of our client’s legal interests, while being accessible and attentive to our clients during times of personal challenge.
If you have been in any kind of a vehicle accident caused by the negligence of someone else, and were injured or sustained property damage in a crash in Merrillville, Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Highland, Portage, Valparaiso, or in Lake or Porter County, or any part of northwest Indiana contact our firm for help. We put our experience and resources to work for vehicle crash injury victims throughout northwest Indiana with one object in mind: to maximize your compensation.
The firm concentrates in personal injury cases of all types, medical malpractice, and wrongful death litigation. We work tirelessly to serve each client aggressively and with empathy, to communicate regularly and clearly, and to obtain prompt and favorable results, while adhering to the highest standards of excellence and integrity. Our team considers it a high honor to be called upon to serve our clients whom we often come to regard as our friends.
If you’ve been injured and are looking for answers we invite you to make use of the information on our website, and to call our law office at (219) 736-9700 to schedule a time to talk directly to us and see firsthand if we are the right law firm for you.
If you would like to learn more about personal injury law, we encourage you to listen to our Personal Injury Primer Podcast where we break down the law into simple terms, provide legal tips, and discuss topics related to personal injury law. And read “Fighting For Truth: A Trial Lawyer’s Insight Into What It Takes To Win” an entertaining and enlightening book pulling readers into the courtroom giving them a glimpse of the legal process and what it takes to win at trial.