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Fifteen-passenger vans are frequently used to transport commuters such as college athletic teams, church groups and employees for company outings. Recent years have seen an increased use of such vans as well as an increase in rollover accidents and injury claims. Following Rules for Intended Use Still Creates Risk of Rollovers Fifteen-passenger vans are intended to hold fourteen passengers …

If you are injured in a traffic collision while riding as a passenger in a vehicle, you may want to know about the driver’s liability toward you. The driver does have a duty to act responsibly toward you, but the extent of that duty depends on what kind of passenger you are. The Non-Paying Passenger The free rider, also known as the gratuitous guest, is typically not paying the driver…

When a vehicle accident results in damage, injury, or death, the party whose carelessness (negligence) caused the accident may be held financially liable, in whole or in part, for the damages and injuries sustained. The process of determining who was “at fault” varies from state to state, and some states do not require any determination of who was at fault, but rely on “no…

Authorities suggest that “lay” witnesses may testify to conclusions drawn from their own observations, while an “expert” expresses an opinion based on special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education. The testimony of a civil engineer in a 1782 English case may be the first recorded use of expert testimony. In many lawsuits, the testimony of an “exp…

The doctrine of “sovereign immunity” protects the U.S. and other governments from lawsuits. In 1946, Congress adopted the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), which created a limited waiver of that immunity. The Federal Tort Claims Act Under the FTCA, individuals may bring suit against the U.S. government for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or wrongf…