Motorhome Rollover Kills Prominent Alabama Couple
A motorhome rollover lawsuit has been filed in Alabama against the manufacturers of a motorhome that overturned and killed a married couple. The lawsuit alleges that the recreational vehicle (RV) had known defects in manufacturing and design.
The deceased couple, Leland and Stephanie Courson, owned a carpet business called Carol’s Carpet Flooring America, which has been operating since 1987 and has locations in Montgomery and Prattville, Alabama. The couple’s business legacy will continue on through their family.
Details of the Motorhome Rollover
Mr. Courson was driving the RV, a 2017 Tiffin Allegro Red Motorhome, and it is believed he was attempting a lane change, and that movement was what caused the motorhome to become unstable, lose control, and swerve off the road. When he attempted to bring the vehicle back to the pavement, it started to roll.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Courson were wearing seatbelts but were killed when the RV’s roof crushed inward. The couple’s beloved dog was also killed in the crash. The attorney for the deceased’s estate explained that motorhomes such as the 2017 Tiffin are not subject to Federal safety standards with regard to roof strength or stability. Thus, in the event of a rollover, the structure can collapse completely, the weight of which can crush the occupants.
Defendants in the lawsuit, which is filed in Montgomery Circuit Court, include Daimler Trucks North America, LLC, Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc., and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation.
Watch the YouTube video of a news outlet reporting on a fatal RV rollover that took place in Arizona in 2015.
Motorhomes Have Higher Rollover Risks
Consumers need to know that these very expensive vehicles can also be very dangerous. The chances of a rollover in a motorhome are higher than those associated with passenger vehicles.
The causes of vehicle rollovers are complex. The nature of a rollover accident is particularly violent. Rollover accidents, more so than other kinds of crashes, incorporate the road, the driver and passengers, as well as vehicle and environmental factors. Vehicle type plays a significant role in rollover risks, but there are other factors as well, such as road conditions, environmental conditions, and driver behavior.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers information on factors that could contribute to rollover accidents. Having knowledge of these risk factors can help prevent them from happening.
- Vehicle Type. While all vehicle types can overturn, a taller, narrower vehicle has a higher center of gravity, making it more susceptible to a rollover event. Vehicles in this category include motorhomes, SUVs, vans, and pickups.
- Speed. Fatal rollover incidents include speed as a factor more often than fatal crashes that do not involve a rollover. Approximately 40% of fatal rollover incidents occur at higher speeds. Moreover, nearly three-fourths of fatal rollover incidents occur where the posted speed limit is 55 mph or greater.
- Location. Rural/country roads are often undivided and have no barriers, which makes them more likely to be the scene of a rollover accident. Nearly three-fourths of fatal rollovers take place in rural regions. Usually, in rural areas, the posted speed limit is at least 55 mph.
- Alcohol. Close to half of all fatal rollover incidents involve alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol can adversely affect the driver’s vision, judgment, and reaction time – all of which can contribute to a rollover.
- Single Vehicle. Data from NHTSA show that close to 85% of rollover-related fatalities result from single-vehicle crashes. This finding supports the suggestion that driver behavior (speeding, inattentiveness, distraction, and/or impairment) often plays a role in rollover crashes.
- Routine Driving. Data from NHTSA suggest that the vast majority (over 90%) of vehicles involved in single-vehicle, fatal rollover incidents were executing routine driving maneuvers (such as negotiating a turn or proceeding straight) at the time the crash occurred. This finding further supports the idea that driver behavior can be a significant factor in rollover incidents.
Sacramento Motorhome Accident Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading. I’m Ed Smith, and I am a motorhome accident lawyer in Sacramento, California. If you have questions about an accident, call me for free and friendly at (916) 921-6400. If you will be calling from outside the 916 area code, you may dial (800) 404-5400 or complete our online contact form.
For further information about our law firm, please visit the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/caravan-at-needles-camper-caravan-4003421/
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