Vanderhall Accidents

Essential Answers About Vanderhall Vehicle Accidents & Lawsuits

Vanderhall vehicles have been involved in auto accidents in various settings.

No matter where or when Vanderhall accidents happen, the more you know about them and how to prevent them, the better. To that end, this guide on Vanderhall vehicle accidents and lawsuits shares key information, answering and explaining:   

• What Are Vanderhall Vehicles?
• Vanderhall Defects & Problems: Design Dangers & Flaws
• More Vanderhall Problems & Risks: Lax Requirements
• What Causes Vanderhall Accidents?
• What to Do After a Vanderhall Accident
• Do I Have a Vanderhall Accident Lawsuit?  

For more answers and confidential advice related to your circumstances and a potential claim, contact an experienced Vanderhall accident lawyer. 

What Are Vanderhall Vehicles?

Vanderhalls are vintage-inspired, three-wheel vehicles, with two front wheels and one rear wheel. Also referred to as autocycles, reverse trikes, and simply trikes, Vanderhalls have a sleek appearance and racecar-like power, as well as:

• A car-styled body
• Open bucket seating
• Low suspension

With this combination of features, Vanderhalls blend two-wheel thrills with some of the stability of a passenger vehicle.

The models made by Vanderhall Motor Works include the:

• Vanderhall Venice: Standard models are two-seaters with turbocharged gas engines.
• Vanderhall Speedster: Generally the most affordable option, the Speedster is a one-seater (and it’s the only one-seater offered by Vanderhall).
• Vanderhall Edison: As an electric model trike, the Edison can still hit speeds up to ~105 miles per hour (mph).
• Vanderhall Carmel: This luxury-model Vanderhall comes with some high-end bells and whistles for an ultra-upscale model. 

Keep in mind that, in all models of Vanderhall, there may be some features that can:

• Elevate accident risks, especially under certain conditions
• Result in more severe injuries 
• Raise the risk of deadly wrecks

Vanderhall Defects & Problems: Design Dangers & Flaws

Low to the ground and relatively lightweight, Vanderhalls are sporty, eye-catching, and risky. In fact, some of the most serious dangers associated with Vanderhalls include: 

• Short windshields and no roofs: Exposing riders’ heads to the elements, Vanderhalls are roofless with stubby windshields that may barely reach eye level for taller riders. That opens up the cockpit while providing minimal windshield coverage, making it easy for foreign objects to hit riders. Plus, if these autocycles roll or collide with vehicles that have higher ground clearance, riders could be thrown from trikes, involved in underride wrecks, and/or end up with life-threatening injuries.
• No dash visors: The angle of the windshield and the dash can create glare and blinding reflections for riders. Without dash visors to shield that glare, riders can have a difficult time seeing and safely responding to their surroundings.
• Front-wheel drive and weight distribution: Vanderhalls operate via front-wheel drive, meaning most of the vehicle’s weight is concentrated over the front tires. This design choice may have been aimed at improving stability, but tragically, it can have the opposite effect, causing traction loss in some situations. Specifically, “wheel hop” can occur when the front wheels lose contact with the road. With that, riders may not be able to control and keep them within a designated lane of traffic.
• No airbags: When Vanderhalls crash, riders can’t count on airbags to deploy and absorb any impacts. That can mean far more severe injuries for the occupants of Vanderhalls involved in collisions, even in low-speed crashes that seem relatively minor.

These are by no means the only risks and issues linked to Vanderhall vehicles— and some dangers may only come to light after causing horrific wrecks and injuries.

More Vanderhall Problems & Risks: Lax Requirements

Despite their unique design and features, Vanderhalls are generally not subject to any special safety tests or crash testing requirements. That may contribute to risks of equipment flaws, defects, and problems, any of which could cause crashes.

Additionally, the official classification of these vehicles generally means that riders in many states:

• Do NOT have to obtain any special licensing to operate Vanderhall vehicles: Many states do not require motorcycle licensing or any special training to operate Vanderhall vehicles. Given that these vehicles can handle differently than standard passenger vehicles, that could put inexperienced motorists in the driver’s seats of vehicles that they’re not fully capable of safely operating.
• Do NOT have to wear helmets in Vanderhall vehicles: Helmets can save lives while reducing the severity of injuries sustained in collisions. With Vanderhall riders not required to wear helmets in most states — and with open cockpits on these vehicles — there’s a greater risk of fatal injuries when Vanderhalls wreck.

This combination of factors — risky design, zero crash test requirements, no special licensing, and no helmet requirements — can end up being a recipe for life-ending Vanderhall accidents.

What Causes Vanderhall Accidents?

The risky design of the Vanderhalls can be just one factor that leads to crashes. Others include (and are not limited to):

1. Negligent drivers: Careless, inattentive, and impaired motorists can make it difficult for riders to safely navigate the roads. While negligent drivers can be behind the wheels of cars and trucks, they may also be operating motorcycles and other Vanderhals..
2. Defective equipment: Shoddy, poorly made equipment can malfunction, fail, and cause Vanderhall accidents. This can include flaws and defects associated with brakes, electrical systems, and/or other vital components.
3. Poor road conditions: Debris in the roads, massive potholes, and risky highway work zones are just a few road-related issues that could also contribute to Vanderhall accidents.

Any one of these factors, as well as multiple at once, could cause serious crashes. To figure out exactly what causes a given wreck, it’s crucial to rigorously investigate the accident, ideally with the help of an experienced Vanderhall accident attorney. 

What to Do After a Vanderhall Accident

Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and a possible legal claim: 

1. Move to the side of the road, out of the way of traffic, ASAP, if possible.
2. Call the police and wait at the scene. Dial 911 if there’s an emergency or any serious injuries.
3. Get medical attention ASAP if you’re injured.
4. Exchange contact, driver, and insurance information with the other involved party or parties.
5. Do NOT admit fault, say “sorry,” or accept any blame, regardless of whether you think you caused the Vanderhall crash.
6. Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including the damaged vehicles, surrounding roadway features, debris, tire tread marks on the blacktop, and/or other parties involved in the aftermath.
7. Collect information from any available witnesses. Consider recording video statements from them.
8. Gather any other available evidence, like damaged personal items or crash debris.
9. Report the Vanderhall accident to the insurance company.
10. Continue getting all medical care needed to treat the crash injuries.
11. Talk to an experienced Vanderhall lawyer to find out more about the options for filing a claim and recovering.

Remember, it’s never too soon after a Vanderhall accident to consult an attorney, and the longer you wait to find out about a potential claim, the more challenging it can be to successfully resolve that case. So, it’s generally in your best interests to talk to a Vanderhall accident attorney as soon as possible after these accidents.

Do I Have a Vanderhall Accident Lawsuit?  

You could have a claim and be legally entitled to seek compensation if you or a loved one has been hurt in a Vanderhall accident. In fact, depending on how the crash occurred and who is at fault, you could have various options for pursuing justice, holding the liable parties accountable and filing a product liability lawsuit.

If you do, you won’t have forever to file your claim. That’s one reason why it’s so crucial to consult a Vanderhall accident lawyer who can evaluate a claim, share essential advice, and help you position a case for the best possible resolution.