Millions of US families enjoy their recreational vehicles (RVs) and motorhomes
Recreational vehicle (RV) or motorhome accidents can be more severe than other types of accidents. This is due to a number of factors, including the fact that many motorhome owners do not possess the required experience to safely operate the vehicle.
If you are injured in a motorhome or RV accident, you are likely facing medical bills and other losses. You are entitled to compensation for injuries, suffering, and damages sustained if a motorhome driver or another party caused the accident.
If you have been hurt in a motorhome collision on a California roadway, contact an RV accident lawyer. They will help to establish the other driver’s negligence and help you obtain your rightful compensation.
Classes of Recreational Vehicles (RVs)
Recreational vehicles range from collapsible popup campers to million-dollar luxury vehicles. Classes of RVs include:
- Motorhomes – engine-propelled truck conversions that combine living and sleeping areas, kitchens, and bathrooms.
- Camper vans – vans fitted out with a coach-built body to serve as living quarters.
- Truck campers (also referred to as a cab-over or slide-in) – RV is carried on a pickup truck bed.
- Bus conversions – commercial and school buses modified into homes.
- Travel trailers – campers pulled behind a vehicle for use as a sleeping area.
- Toy haulers – a travel trailer with a large opening and ramp door usually located at the RV’s rear.
- Caravan – a covered motor vehicle with living accommodations.
- Popup camper – is a camping trailer made of canvas that can collapse into a compact, portable size.
Some popular brand names of RVs include:
- Winnebago
- Fleetwood Enterprises
- Shasta
- Heartland RV
- Wanderlodge
- Nexus RV
- Tuscany Luxury Motorhomes
- Thor Motor Coach
- Jayco Inc.
Common RV Accidents
RVs come with a unique set of risks. Travelers who are not belted in during a collision can be seriously hurt. During a crash, objects inside the motorhome can be hurled violently about, hitting and injuring the passengers.
Accidents commonly associated with this type of vehicles are:
- Rollovers – Due to their height, there’s a greater risk of a motorhome rolling over in a sharp turn or a collision.
- Tire blowouts – Under or overinflated tires can blow out under the great weight of an RV, and cause the driver to lose vehicle control.
- Fatigue - During long road trips, the RV driver can get fatigued and fall asleep at the wheel.
- Brake failure – An RV’s heavier than average weight puts greater pressure on the brakes. Bad brakes can fail and result in a catastrophic accident.
- Distracted driving – Texting or using the phone may take a driver’s attention off the road.
- Collision with another larger vehicle
- Motorhome is rear-ended
- T-bone accidents
- A bridge is too low – When passing under a low bridge, The RV’s top can hit the bottom of the bridge, leading to property damage and serious injuries.
- Fires – Propane gas used in cooking can leak inside the vehicle and start a fire.
- Manufacturing defects in the motorhome – These can include inferior quality parts like defective brakes, substandard tires, and faulty steering systems.
RV Accidents - Causes
There are numerous possible reasons for RV accidents to occur. Some of the risks that can give rise to a road mishap can include the following:
- Lax vehicle laws do not require most RV and motorhome drivers to have a special license or undergo training to operate such large vehicles.
- Lane change collisions often occur when the driver fails to pay attention to an RV’s blind spot
- A large group inside a motorhome can potentially distract its driver. A distracted driver may fail to notice obstacles or veer to another lane, which can result in a terrible crash.
- RV drivers tend to drive longer hours than they should reach their destination sooner. This can cause fatigue and the driver to fall asleep at the wheel, which can lead to catastrophic results.
- A narrow wheelbase and a high center of gravity make RVs highly likely to roll over if they accidentally hit a pothole or takes a curve too fast.
Common RV Accident Injuries
Some of the common injuries associated with recreational vehicle accidents are:
- Neck and whiplash injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Brain injury
- General head injury
- Nerve damage
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee and joint injuries
The above injuries can be compensated for with the help of a competent RV accident lawyer.
Compensation for Injuries in a California RV Accident
You should be able to obtain compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more, if someone else was liable for the accident that caused your injuries.
This applies whether you were a passenger in the motorhome, in another vehicle, or a pedestrian injured in the accident.
- Medical expenses – These are medical bills and costs for treating your injuries. They include bills for doctor visits, hospitalization, MRI testing facility, emergency room, chiropractors, or any other medical care necessary for your treatment.
- Lost income – You are entitled to procure any income you lost for your missed days at work.
- Future lost wages – You are allowed to receive compensation if a personal injury attorney can establish your future potential earnings if not for your injuries.
- Expenses for further medical treatment for injuries that can be felt for months or even years after the injury was sustained.
- Pain and suffering – You can receive a settlement for the pain, trauma, depression, grief, and mental anguish that you’ve suffered as a result of your injury.
Contact us for Dedicated Legal Representation
You and your family members should not be financially burdened with injuries resulting from an RV accident. Whether the cause was another driver’s negligence, mechanical failure, or a badly maintained roadway, you should have a personal injury lawyer who is well-versed with California laws.
Your pain and suffering should stop at your accident. Call Barrios & Machado at (714) 515-9696 or through our contact form for a free consultation.
