Trailer Sway Accident Lawyers
Orlando, Florida
Every day across America, families enjoy traveling together, saving money on hotel rooms, and enjoying greater independence by pulling a camper trailer. Many have the proper equipment and driving experience to do this safely. Far more purchase or rent inadequate setups, toss their gear in the back and hit the road, enthusiastic and blissfully unaware of the grave danger they face until tragedy strikes, and they are involved in a deadly accident. That grave danger is trailer sway (fishtailing of a trailer as it is being towed).
Trailer sway is easily triggered and can quickly escalate out of control resulting in an accident that destroys both the trailer and the towing vehicle. Trailer sway accidents often result in severe injuries and death. Once the sway starts, it is very difficult to regain control.
With the proper setup – a properly designed trailer, the right hitch and anti-sway devices, appropriate weight load, and adequate brakes – trailer sway may be prevented and dangerous accidents may be avoided. However, most recreational vehicle (RV) users are never informed of the requirements and limitations involved or of the safety devices they should employ. RV dealers, afraid of losing a sale, are often reluctant to stress safety features that can increase costs.
According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, nearly 8 million households own at least one RV. More frightening is the number of RV’s that are rented by RV excited tourists who have no knowledge of towing and are in a hurry to get started on their vacations. Vacationers often rent RV’s with little or no safety instructions. RV rental is a $350 million/year business.
Preventing Trailer Sway
Trailer sway accidents can be reduced by properly matching the trailer to the towing vehicle, using the proper safety devices, proper loading, and safe driving. Requirements for trailer safety include:
- Trailer tongue 10%-15% of the trailer’s weight
- Towing vehicle with towing capacity exceeding the weight of the trailer, passengers, and cargo
- Hitch with towing capacity exceeding the weight of the loaded (not empty) trailer
- Adequate trailer brakes
- Sway control device
- Properly rated and properly inflated tires
- Driving at reasonable speeds
How Trailer Sway Occurs
Trailer sway is easily triggered if the trailer and towing vehicle are inadequate in any way or if they are not properly matched. Common causes of trailer sway include:
- Tongue weight too little or too much
- Unevenly distributed load
- Trailer’s center of gravity too high
- Lack of anti sway device
- Improperly inflated tires
- Inadequate trailer brake
- Wrong hitch
Trailer sway triggers include:
- Being passed by a large vehicle
- Crosswinds
- Sudden evasive maneuvers
- Driving downhill
- Driving too fast
Do’s and Don’ts if Your Trailer Starts to Sway
Trailer sway is very difficult to bring under control, even if you do everything right. Taking the wrong action can quickly turn trailer sway into a deadly accident. If you are towing a trailer and it begins to sway:
- Hold the steering wheel steady
- Let off the gas
- Apply the trailer brake
- Do not slam on the brakes
- Do not attempt to “steer out of it”
- Do not increase speed
Safe RV operation requires proper education. RV dealers have a duty to pass important safety information along to consumers, both purchasers and renters.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an RV accident in Orlando or anywhere in Florida, please contact one of our RV accident lawyers today. We will evaluate your RV trailer sway accident claim at no charge to you, and we represent you on a contingency basis (you don’t pay unless we recover monetary damages for you).
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