RV Accidents

Recreational Vehicles or motor homes are popular among individuals who like to take long road trips and camp in luxury. Usually when people think about car accidents, they think about automobiles, trucks or vans, but RVs and other vehicles like limousines, and ATVs can also be in serious auto accidents.

Generally recreational vehicles are safe and reliable, but sometimes an RV can have serious defects that lead to accidents. An accident in an RV can be caused by a variety of things from driver error to manufacture defects. An RV is a massive vehicle that can reach up to 40 feet in length. Due to the size of the RV, it can be difficult for drivers to maneuver and stop the RV especially in treacherous road conditions. If there are manufacturing and design flaws incorporated into the construction of the RV, it is an accident waiting to happen.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an RV accident, it is important to find out the cause of the accident. If the accident was due to a manufacturer error or the negligence of another, it might be possible to collect damages for your injuries.

Florida RV Negligence Attorneys

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman are experienced personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys. They have extensive experience in defective automobile products and motor vehicle accidents. Contact the offices of Levine & Glassman today at (954) 332-6100 to speak with an attorney about your RV accident.

Common Defects found On Recreational Vehicles

• Braking System – there are many different types of braking systems for the RV. There are power brakes, air brakes, electrical brakes etc. Also if the RV is towing a vehicle behind it, then there are special breaking systems to make sure the vehicle does not plow into the RV when it comes to a stop. There are numerous things that can go wrong with the brakes. Every year some braking system for the RV is recalled. Make sure that your brakes are in good working condition, and you have the correct braking system for your RV.

• Tires – Due to the massive size of the RV, special tires are used because RV tires are subjected to a variety of conditions. RVs generally travel hundreds of miles and carry the maximum load when in use. RVs also have a considerable amount of downtown and will sit out of service for long periods of time. Tires must be able to handle intense short term use and handle long term non-use. Goodyear G159 tires had significant failures and recalls. These tires were not specifically designed to be used on recreational vehicles but a good amount of these tires were used on RVs and failed without warning. These tire failures were responsible for thousands of RV accidents. It is important to make sure that your RV tires are specifically recommended for RV use and that there are no manufacturer or product defects when it comes to the tires. In addition to making sure there are no current manufacturer recalls follow these steps to ensure tire safety:

• Maintain proper air inflation in tires
• Inspect tires regularly
• Avoid excessive loading
• Drive at appropriate speeds

Making sure that your tires are in good working condition will go a long way in preventing RV accidents.

• Electric Wiring Defects – Recreational vehicles are essentially moving homes. There is a good deal of wiring in an RV. Defective wiring can cause fires and other problems in an RV. Make sure that the electrical system is working correctly and there are no product or manufacturer recalls.

• Battery Defects – Batteries can give an RV owner a lot of trouble. It is important to check the battery frequently because usually RVs are used for only a short period of time. The rest of the time the RV is parked up, but it would be a good idea to test the battery every couple months to make sure it is still in good working conditions.

• Water Intrusions and Leaks – In addition to electricity, RVs usually have plumbing systems. Bathrooms, showers, and water faucets are included in some recreational vehicles. Any type of leak can cause damage to the RV.

• Engine and Transmission Problems – Engine problems can cause accidents if the RV suddenly stops working while on the road. Engine problems are difficult and expensive to fix in an RV due to the specialized parts. If you have defective parts in your engine, you may have a products liability suit.

Causes of RV Accidents

RV accidents can occur in the same way that automobile accidents occur. Here is a brief list containing the possible causes for an RV accident:

• Vehicle Defects – examples of vehicle defects are things such as a tire blowout, brake failure or some other mechanical failure

• Road Design – Some roads are naturally dangerous. Sharp curves and bends can cause accidents especially if the driver is unfamiliar with the road. It is a requirement to have signs warning drivers about curves in the road. An RV is a massive vehicle and there needs to be significant warning time in order to safely navigate the turn.

• Road Conditions – Things like road construction or poorly paved roads can cause accidents in an RV. Debris in the road or other obstacles that would force the driver to try to swerve quickly to avoid a collision can easily cause an RV to roll over.

• Bad Weather – Rain, snow, fog and other inclement weather conditions can make it difficult to drive an RV.

• Intoxication – Drunk driving is a notorious cause of accidents. It is more likely to cause an accident when a driver is behind the wheel of a large vehicle like an RV that requires more care and attention to operate safely than a regular motor vehicle.

• Distractions – Drivers are distracted all the time by the radio, cell phones, scenery, accidents at the side of the road, eating in the car, reading maps in the car, talking to people in the car. A distraction can cause an accident even if the driver is distracted for only a few seconds.

• Driver Error – Drivers can disobey traffic rules such as failing to yield the right of way, following too closely, driving at excessive speeds and unsafe passing. These errors can be magnified in an RV due to the size of the vehicle and the difficulty correcting driver errors in an RV.

Levine & Glassman, P.A. – Florida RV Accident Lawyers

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman have extensive experience at evaluating and pursuing automobile negligence claims in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Contact our firm at (954) 332-6100 or using out online contact form and one of our attorneys will evaluate your potential RV accident lawsuit and answer any questions you may have about the claims.