Last week, 17 people were injured in a passenger van crash near Henrico, North Carolina. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, the incident happened on River Road, near Post Office Road on Thursday evening. Very little information has been released about this passenger van crash, but we do know that 17 people were transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries ranging from non-urgent to critical. We don’t know what caused the passenger van to crash, but initial reports indicate that it was a rollover wreck.
Multiple People Injured in Rollover Passenger Van Crash
There were five different responding agencies on the scene, which included sheriff’s deputies and rescue squads. At least one person had to be extricated from the wreckage with hydraulic rescue cutters and saws. A portion of the roadway was closed for hours as crews and first responders worked the scene. At this time, no information has been released about anybody’s current condition, and the cause of this passenger van crash is likely still under investigation with local law enforcement officials.
15-Passenger Van Crash Facts
- 41 percent of the 509 15-passenger can occupants killed from 2007 to 2016 were ejected from the vehicle.
- 11 percent of fatal 15-passenger van rollover crashes are attributed to tire failure.
- 70 percent of the 15-passenger van occupants killed in crashes from 2007 to 2016 were unrestrained at the time of the crash.
Risks Associated With 15-Passenger Vans
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has a variety of resources for owners and drivers of 15-passenger vans. Because these vehicles are often used infrequently for church groups or other organizations, they have a specific set of risks associated with them. First of all, driver inexperience is a major contributor to 15-passenger van accidents. These aren’t minivans. They are large heavy vehicles, especially when fully loaded. Additionally, issues like tire pressure, speed, seat belts, and cargo are all critically important to 15-passenger van safety.
Passenger Can Accidents in Asheville
If you have a 15-passenger van or if you drive one, make sure to check out the NHTSA’s safety precautions before your next trip. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a passenger van accident in Asheville or in any of the nearby communities, contact the skilled and proven Personal Injury team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-303-2842 for a free case consultation today.