Common causes of recreational vehicle (RV) crashes and safety tips for RV drivers and regular drivers alike.
Despite and possibly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, RV sales and rentals are at a record high. With travel being increasingly regulated and most people avoiding air travel like the plague, many people are investing in recreational vehicles and are taking vacations the good old fashioned way—on a campground in their campervans, motorhomes, or trailers. Missouri State Parks counted 26,253 more campers in June 2020 compared to June 2019. With the sudden influx of RVs on the road, we’re here to help you learn about what causes RV crashes and how to stay safe behind the wheel of one.
Causes of RV Crashes
According to the most recent and available data, nearly 75,000 injuries occur each year due to RV crashes. On average, that’s over 200 injuries per day. One of the most common causes of RV crashes is speeding. RVs are larger in size compared to pick-up trucks, cars, or vans. Their large size combined with high speed can lead to dangerous crashes or vehicle turn-over. The key to staying safe is to try to avoid going over 60 miles per hour in any sort of recreational vehicle. Take things slow (especially those curvy highway ramps) and pay attention to the wind speed as well as wind speed and vehicle speeding are a lethal combination.
Another common cause of RV crashes is driver fatigue and falling asleep at the wheel. Given that many RVs also serve as mobile homes, it is easy for drivers to become too comfortable in their vehicle. That, and the purpose of RVs as primary vehicles on vacations means these drivers go long distances without sleeping, trying to reach their destination. A good tip for RV drivers is to rest 30 minutes for every 3-4 hours you drive, or switch off with a partner.
Overloaded trailers—or unevenly loaded trailers—cause a lot of RV crashes. You must load a safe amount on your RV and ensure that the weight is evenly distributed over both sides of the RV as uneven weight leads to vehicle rollovers. Overloading trailers is not only dangerous, it’s also illegal. An important fact RV drivers should know about over-loading is that if you’re in a crash in an overloaded RV, you are much more likely to be deemed at fault by the insurance company.
Blind spots, wide turns, and other general human errors cause quite a number of RV crashes. Similar to other large vehicles, an RV has plenty of blind spots. Although many newer RVs come with back-up cameras, these are only useful as they help you maneuver your vehicle in “reverse”. RVs are also hard to brake in, and stops are more of a slow roll compared to your average car. We are all human, but RV drivers should still make sure they are practiced behind the wheel before driving long distances and are aware of their vehicle and its limitations.
How to Stay Safe in an RV and driving next to RVs
In order for RV drivers to stay safe on the road, you must know your vehicle. You should be aware of its size, its stopping time, its wide turn length, and its blind spots before getting behind the wheel. You should also be cautious of other factors when driving to avoid crashes such as weather, the weight of your vehicle, and other drivers on the road. It’s not unusual for RVs to get accused of being at fault in crashes given their large size, so it’s better for RV drivers to play it safe. Even if you’re not an RV owner/renter and you drive a car, it can be beneficial to know what causes RV crashes so you can also avoid any contributing factors. Make sure you’re aware of blind spots when you drive near or pass any RVs with caution and remember to drive safely alongside all vehicles. Have fun on those family vacations, and stay safe!
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The Hines & Wilson Law Firm has more than 50 years of experience and is located in Columbia, Missouri. If you or a loved one has been injured in an RV crash, we will use our experience and knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us at (573) 443-4500, our toll-free number (877) 473-4500, or email info@hineswilsonlaw.com for a free and confidential consultation about your claim.
