The award-winning attorneys at the Davis Law Group represent those injured by Recreational Vehicle (RV) and motor home accidents in Washington state. State laws do not require special driving permits for recreational vehicles (RVs) despite the fact that they are more difficult to maneuver and handle.
Determining liability in an RV or motorhome accident can be complicated. Depending on the specific circumstances of your accident, liability may fall to several different parties: a driver, manufacturer, and/or the retailer.
At Seattle-based Davis Law Group, our attorneys have decades of experience handling RV accident cases. Our attorneys will fight to obtain the maximum compensation available for accident victims.
For a free case evaluation, call us today at (206) 727-4000, use the chat feature below or fill out the form on this page.
Types of Recreational Vehicles (RVs)
You may see any of the following types of RVs on the road:
- Conventional RVs
- Fifth-wheel RVs
- Folding camping trailer
- Motorhomes
- Van camper or conversion van
- Class A motorhomes
- Class C motorhomes
- Hybrid trailers
- Luxury RVs
- Pop-up campers
- Teardrop trailers
- Travel trailers
- Toy haulers
There are different classes and license classifications for these vehicles:
Class A: Authorizes an individual to drive a vehicle or combination of vehicles:
- Not described under a Class B or Class C driver license
- With a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds including vehicles in Class B or Class C
Class B: Authorizes an individual to drive:
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 pounds or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds
- A bus with a seating capacity of 24 passengers or more including the driver
- Any vehicle included in Class C
Class C: Authorizes an individual to drive any single vehicle:
- Or combination of vehicles that are not included in Class A or Class B
- With a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds towing a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds
- Designed to transport 23 or less passengers including the driver; vehicles rated as 16-23 passengers including the driver require a Class C CDL unless exempt
Class M: Authorizes an individual to drive a motorcycle or moped.
Causes of Recreational Vehicle (RV) Accidents
Driving an RV can be very difficult, and those that are inexperienced will find that they do not handle in the same way as a passenger car. RVs are obviously much larger, and require extra clearance space and longer stopping distance when braking.
Those that do not take those things into account — or drive an RV in a reckless manner — are putting themselves and their passengers at risk. But not all RV accidents are caused by the driver’s error.
Common causes for RV accidents include:
- Runaway trailers
- Fire caused by a gas leak
- Blown tire
- Inexperienced driver
- Overloading
- Poorly balanced load
- Rollover due to higher center of gravity
- Driver fails to see a car in the RV’s large blind spot
- Poorly calculated turns
Your RV accident attorney will work to determine the exact cause of your accident and gather evidence to support your claim.
Compensation in RV Accident Cases
Davis Law Group believes your financial recovery should be unique. The particulars of each case will determine what compensation is available, but generally, your recovery should include money for past, current and future:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages/earning capacity
- Loss of essential services
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Injuries from an RV Wreck
An RV accident can cause catastrophic injuries with life-changing consequences like those in large commercial vehicle collisions. Your exact injury depends on the type of crash that occurred, as well as many other factors. Your injury should be diagnosed by a medical professional immediately after the incident.
To maximize your recovery, it is important that you’re aware of the following potential injuries and to discuss them with your medical provider:
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by an RV or motorhome driver, there’s likely extensive damage to your property, along with serious injuries to yourself and passengers. And the reality is the greater the damage, the more aggressive the negligent RV driver’s insurance company is likely to be in disputing your claim.
RV Accident Legal Aid in Washington State
Seriously injured in an RV accident in Washington state? Want to know if you have a legal case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice for your loved ones? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else? The motor home accident attorneys at the Davis Law Group have the skill and expertise necessary to help you.
Call (206) 727-4000 now for a FREE legal consultation regarding your RV accident injury case. The experienced car accident lawyers at Davis Law Group serve accident victims all over Washington State. We can also arrange to have one of our investigators come to you if you are unable to visit our office.
