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RV Accidents
Washington D.C., Virginia, & Maryland Attorneys
According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), over 8 million people in the United States own a recreational vehicle (RV), and many more Americans rent RVs every year for vacationing purposes. Motorhomes are a common sight on our roadways; unfortunately, their size and limited maneuverability often lead to serious accidents.
Even though RVs can be the size of commercial trucks and pose similar driving challenges, RV drivers are not required to complete any special training or possess a higher level driver’s license. Because of this, many people get behind the wheel of an RV not understanding the inherent differences between RVs and regular passenger vehicles. Even if a driver is used to handling a large SUV, driving a 50-foot long motorhome is still a completely different experience. If simple actions like changing lanes or making a right turn are not approached with extreme caution, the consequences can be devastating.
Causes of RV Accidents
The natural design limitations of RVs can pose a serious threat to other motorists when combined with a driver’s inexperience. Some of the most common factors that contribute to RV accidents include:
- Increased blind spots – The length of an RV is similar to a tractor-trailer, resulting in significant blind spots along the side of the vehicle. Drivers often fail to see other vehicles when making a turn or lane change.
- Wider turn radius – Motorhomes can be even more difficult to turn than tractor-trailers since they cannot bend or flex in the middle. This means the rear of the RV is at a greater risk of swinging out into traffic and causing an accident.
- Increased braking distance – RV drivers must brake early in order to account for the heavy weight of the vehicle. Many accidents occur because a driver fails to respond quickly enough to avoid stopped traffic or a road hazard.
- “Blind” reverse – Because you cannot see directly behind an RV, backing up is always awkward and potentially dangerous. It is imperative that you have another person outside of the vehicle directing you when parking or reversing. Installing back-up cameras on an RV can help mitigate this danger.
- Tire blowouts – Improper tire pressure is a common cause of many road accidents, but it becomes especially important when operating a vehicle the size and weight of an RV. Once you have fully loaded the RV, check your tire pressure to make sure it is appropriate for the amount of weight the vehicle is carrying. Your RV’s tires should be replaced every 5-7 years.
Besides taking into account the points discussed above, RV drivers should strictly follow normal safe driving practices. Potholes, icy conditions, and other road hazards should be carefully monitored to avoid losing control of the vehicle. Most importantly, a motorhome should never be operated if the driver is sleep-deprived, distracted, or impaired. According to the state of Virginia, over 30% of RV accidents involve a driver who is under the influence of alcohol.
If you have been injured, or if one of your loved ones has been killed in an RV accident in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington D.C., please contact the experienced car accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today to schedule a consultation. We can thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
