Avoiding RV Accidents

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

It is summertime — which means more Americans are on the roads than at any other time of the year save holidays for vacations and leisure. While ownership of recreational vehicles hit a low during the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009, in recent years, the number of Americans who own RVs has come soaring back. During those years, RV shipments dropped by more than 30 percent — from roughly 400,000 annually in 2005 and 2006 to less than 170,000 by the end of the downturn. It did not take long for the industry to recover, however.

The idea of RV and camper ownership is one that corresponds well with the American dream: there are few memes rooted more deeply in our national psyche than the road trip, yet the independence and self reliance engendered by taking one in a recreational vehicle could be among them. One demographic has contributed significantly to the industry’s rebound: the Baby Boomers. As boomers move into retirement, many are opting to buy an RV or camper to travel during their golden years. That is not to say, of course, that the industry is not looking to millennials and Gen Xers to also become “RV people.”

Owning an RV, of course, is not without its risks. And as more Americans take to the road for summer trips, the risk of driving an RV or being involved in an accident with one increases significantly. Because of the vehicle’s size, high winds and windy mountain roads can be especially dangerous. So can backing the vehicle up. Learning how to drive defensively when operating an RV is essential to maintain you and your family’s safety. Never tailgate or weave in and out of traffic. If you are driving in the desert or the Southwestern US, be aware that strong sweeping winds have the ability to drag your vehicle directly off the road. Stop at an overpass to let the wind die down.

You also need to be especially aware of other vehicles on the road. Never pass on the left while driving an RV, and remember that while you may be comparably one of the largest vehicles on the highway at any given point, you also have some of the least visibility. Take it slow, and always be aware of your surroundings.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an RV accident in which you were not at fault, you may be eligible for compensation. Do not go through it alone. Contact an experienced Lake County injury attorney today.