RV Travel Safety

Posted Fri 13th Nov, 2020 | by Charles Crichton | on Accident Law Firm, Articles, Auto Accident Lawyer, Injury Law Firm, Personal Injury | auto accident lawyer, car accident, denver-accident-lawyer, insurance, Kidneigh Kaufman, recreational vehicle, RV safety, should-i-hire-a-lawyer-for-car-accident

During this pandemic, RV (Recreational Vehicle) use has skyrocketed, with sales of these motorhomes being reported up by as much as 90% in June. As the pandemic continues, as well as the need for safe, socially distanced travel, it is important to know the dangers that come with RV use to prevent accidents from happening. Due to the extra size and weight of an RV, accidents have potential to incur major injuries and damages and can be caused by many different factors including vehicle malfunction and driving mistakes. The first step to ensure safety while traveling in an RV is to get RV insurance. This additional insurance for campers and RV’s is required in every US state. Additionally, check to see if you will be needing a special license to operate your RV, as it is not always required. Even if the license is not required, ensure that everyone who will be driving the RV has experience or practices getting acquainted with the extra weight and length of the vehicle. Many accidents involving RV’s are caused by the driver being unfamiliar with the blind spots or miscalculating how long it will take the vehicle to turn or stop.

The next steps in safely preparing for an RV trip involve the mechanics of the vehicle. As you should before any road trip, check to make sure all the functions of the vehicle are operating correctly. Simple steps should include checking the tire pressure, battery life, and getting an oil change. Another important step that is specific to RV’s is weight management. When loading the RV, make sure that the weight is distributed evenly to avoid roll overs due to the RV being unbalanced or even overloaded. If you are using a trailer or pulling another vehicle behind the RV, check to make sure everything is securely attached before driving after any stop.

The next steps to prevent accidents from happening rely on the driver to be driving responsibly. Commonly reported driving mistakes that cause accidents when driving an RV include speeding, which causes the driver to lose control of the larger vehicle or be unable to stop when needed, high winds which have more surface area to catch on a large RV, and driver fatigue due to long distance driving. Being cognizant of these issues is the best way to prevent them from happening to you.

We understand that sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent an accident from happening and if you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving an RV, contact the attorneys at Kidneigh, Kaufman & Crichton, P.C., P.C., to help assess if you have a claim.