New York State Thruway Van Accident Kills 6, Injures 8
A rollover van accident in New York has left six dead and eight injured, raising safety concerns regarding 15-passenger vans. A lohud.com article reports that an auto safety expert from Maryland has referred to the church van involved in the fatal crash a “death trap on wheels.” Although 15-passenger vans are a convenient way to transport a large group of people, these vehicles are top-heavy and have a high center of gravity, increasing the chances of rollover and causing serious injury or death.
According to the article, a rear tire blowout caused the 1997 Ford Econoline to swerve. The driver then overcorrected and the van rolled over numerous times, landing upside down. As a consequence of the rollover, nine passengers who were allegedly not wearing their seat belts were ejected through the van’s windows.
Drivers must use extreme caution when making sudden maneuvers, especially when 15-passenger vans are near or at full capacity. However, even the most experienced driver is no match for poor vehicle design, defective tires, or improperly maintained auto parts.
While an investigation into the New York wrongful death van accident is still underway, similar to any kind of motor vehicle crash, if negligence of some form is determined to have played a contributing role, injury victims and family members of those killed may be able to seek compensation for their losses and damages.
At Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro LLP, our New York 15-passenger van rollover attorneys understand the many physical, psychological, and financial challenges that rollover crash injury victims must cope with. We are dedicated to helping injury victims and family members of wrongful death victims obtain compensation from negligent parties. To find out more about how we can help protect your rights, please call 212-986-7353 for a free consultation.
