Traveling across country as a family is an experience that has been trending in recent years. Many such families pass through Ohio and use RVs as their mode of transportation. Sadly, such travelers are sometimes at risk when they share the road with other motorists who are negligent or reckless behind the wheel. If you plan to travel in this state by way of RV, or have done so and were involved in a collision, there are several key issues to bear in mind.
You’ll be glad to know that current data shows that RV accidents occur much less frequently than collisions between automobiles. While there may be 70,000 to 80,000 RV collisions in a single year, millions of car accidents occur within the same time frame. Regarding safety, there are several inherent risks involved when traveling in an RV.
Lack of seat restraints and airbags can be problematic in RV accidents
As you and your kids travel through Ohio in an RV, there may be times when people are riding in the rear of the vehicle, which typically would not have seatbelts or airbags installed. If another vehicle, especially a large one, such as a tractor-trailer, hits you, it could cause your RV to roll. Without seatbelts or airbags, those riding in the back of the vehicle are at risk for severe injuries.
Do you haul a trailer behind your RV?
It’s not uncommon for RV travelers to need extra storage space, an issue many people resolve by hauling a trailer behind their vehicle. If a collision occurs while you’re pulling a trailer, it increases the likelihood of serious damage and injuries to the occupants of your RV.
Choose the safest RV available
There are several categories or classes of safety for RVs. It’s wise to research all options and choose the safest vehicle available for your family’s travel plans. What makes one type of RV safer than another? Class B RVs, for instance, have more seat restraints installed for occupants other than the two in front.
What to do if an RV collision occurs
If you have the misfortune of being hit by another vehicle when you’re traveling through Ohio in an RV, state law allows you to seek restitution for damages if the other driver’s negligence was a causal factor in the collision. If you were to do so, you would need to process your claim in this state rather than your home state because this is where the collision occurred.