No one wants RV accidents to happen, but it’s best to be prepared for them. Let’s look at the different causes of RV accidents, which types of vehicles are most vulnerable to them, and what to do after you find yourself in one.
What Causes RV Accidents?
Accidents involving recreational vehicles have a wide range of causes. These include:
- Inexperienced RV drivers: Most states don’t have strict RV driver training requirements like they do for cars. This means that many RV drivers on the road may be inexperienced, and they’re more likely to lose control of their vehicles than experienced drivers.
- Poorly loaded RVs: If you load your RV unevenly or overload it, you increase the risk of an accident. Why? Poor loading puts stress on the vehicle’s engine, transmission, brakes, and tires. Once these parts take on extra strain, they can give out on the road and cause an accident.
- High winds: Since RVs are usually longer and taller than cars, they’re more susceptible to high winds. Drive carefully when you encounter high winds to ensure you don’t roll or jackknife the RV.
These are just three of the many causes of accidents that can leave people with serious injuries. Stay aware of these causes when you take your RV on the road. Knowing about them now can help you avoid them in the future.
What Should You Do After You’re in an RV Accident?
If you find yourself in an RV accident, take the following steps to keep yourself safe and fix the damage:
- Check on yourself and your passengers: Make sure you and your passengers don’t have any major injuries. Be aware that you and your passengers may not notice some injuries at first, because you may be in shock and experience an adrenaline rush to get yourself through a traumatic situation.
- Move your vehicle to the side of the road: If possible, drive your RV to the nearest shoulder or any other place away from the flow of traffic. This prevents further accidents from occurring.
- Call 911: This step may seem obvious, but it may not be so clear in the wake of an accident. Calling 911 gets the authorities involved to assess and document any damage or injuries.
- Exchange information if another vehicle is involved: If you hit another vehicle or they hit you, exchange insurance information with them. This helps both of you make insurance claims after the accident. If you’re in a single-vehicle accident, skip this step, but make sure you document the damage.
- Document the damage: Take pictures of the damage and write down what happened. Get the names and badge numbers of the officers who respond to your accident. Documenting this information helps your insurance agent verify what happened as they process your claim.
- Call an RV towing company: Have your RV towed to a repair shop. Pick a company that specializes in towing recreational vehicles. If you choose a company that only tows cars, they may not have the towing capacity for your RV.
The Importance of RV Insurance
RV insurance is a great thing to have, because it helps you cover the costs of repairs after an accident. It often includes collision and liability coverage. What does RV insurance usually cover in an accident? In most cases, RV insurance covers towing your vehicle to a repair facility and the actual RV body repair, helping with the cost of these RV services so you don’t have to pay for them out of pocket. If you don’t get RV insurance, you could end up either paying out of pocket for repairs or trying to use car insurance to cover it. Using car insurance could limit how many repair and replacement costs are covered, meaning you have to pay more than you expected after an accident.
Get RV Insurance With Finance Solution
If you need help finding the right RV insurance for your vehicle, reach out to us today. We find insurance that helps you when an accident occurs, with interest rates you can handle.
