Auto Injury - 15 Passenger Van

A detail of the dangers of the 15 Passenger Van by trial attorney and auto injury expert, John Bisnar, partner in the law firm Bisnar-Chase in Newport Beach, CA.

Produced by InjuryBoard.com

Additional Resources:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/studies/15PassVans/NHTSA_FLYER.pdf
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/studies/15PassVans/ROLLOVER_HANGTAG_La...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Auto
• Injury
• 15
• passenger
• van
• injuryboard
• John
• Bisnar
• Bisnar-Chase
• Newport
• Beach
• California
• personal
• injury
• lawyer
• trial

[frohman3]

Ford should do what GM has done, extend the wheelbase on the 15 passenger models, rather than lengthening them. There should also be some more reinforcement added to the body so it doesn't crush as much in a rollover. People also need to realize that they need seatbelts. It's just needed. It's a good thing there are three point belts in them now.

There should also be dually wheels for these sort of vans. It could help keep them from having those severe blowouts that happens with the tires.

[skenneyjr]

@johneastmond As it stands, the best solution is to not overload the vehicle and take care to ensure the tires are at correct PSI.

[skenneyjr]

@johneastmond The only solution to this would be to install tires with a higher weight capacity, as the rest of the rear end can support far more. The frame on an E-350 van, single or dual wheel, is the same. The axles are largely the same and very interchangeable, as are the springs. The trouble is, to install tires with a higher load capacity you have to go up a size in wheel diameter, which would be pointlessly expensive.

[skenneyjr]

@johneastmond Why is it the left rear? Simple: when fully loaded, there is a slight weight bias towards the left and these vehicles tend to be overloaded. The tires can support a max of 3042 pounds each in the rear, and if they are not fully inflated or they are overloaded they will fail.

[johneastmond]

@skenneyjr Ask me how I knew. I've got the job of explaining to people how they're loved ones got injured or died. I'm a remote facilities operations engineer. It's my job to provide all the infrastructure and logistics to do the job at hand and provide for life safety at the same time. Can you figure out why it would be the left rear? When you (or anyone for that matter)want the answer comment me and I'll be happy to reply.

[skenneyjr]

@jez135 Safety isn't the issue. Efficiency is. Spend the money and resources on driver training. Voila! No more wrecks!

[skenneyjr]

@johneastmond Also, the tire we blew WAS, in fact, the left rear.

[skenneyjr]

@johneastmond You're more likely to die without a seatbelt than with, idiot. Also, people may or may not die. Don't be throwing around absolutes.

In summation: Learn how to drive and you're fine.

[skenneyjr]

@johneastmond This is not vehicle fault, this is driver fault, plain and simple.

3: They sure as hell shouldn't be. They should be checked and maintained constantly, nothing more.

Actually, funny thing that, nope. I turn 19 in 10 days and still drive that van. It has 121,xxx miles on it now and not a lick of trouble. You see, I understand basic physics of handling and avoid situations that will cause a loss of control. I'm not a dumbass.

[skenneyjr]

@johneastmond

The weight issue is that these vans, loaded to capacity, have a rearward weight bias and a lot of weight aft of the rear axle. Think Porsche 911. When you get into a long turn fully loaded at speed (way too much speed) and then try to remove speed, you will lose the tail end and it will swing out. This is simple physics. RSC helps to mitigate the issue by controlling power/braking but in the end PHYSICS are there.