Dangerous Trailers Accidents That Just Happend

Posted by Kevin Rahe

October 28, 2009, 11:45PM

5 minutes earlier and that could have been my wife and kids that got hit. Still, it's shocking when one of your neighbors gets killed in such a random way - could have been anyone. I'm guessing there was no backup safety attachment of the trailer to the vehicle such as chains/cables, as required by law. If that's true, I'd expect some serious fines and/or charges.

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Posted by Grama7

October 29, 2009, 6:24AM

I hope the owner of the van gets socked with penalties galore. If he has been pulling this trailer before, then he should know the laws governing pulling trailers by using backup safety such as chains, etc. Probably thought he could get away with it. Condolences to the family of the victim.

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Posted by JennaVeeVee25

October 29, 2009, 1:35PM

Toni is my very dear friend whom I love very much and will miss...I just met up with her a week ago to shoot pool and have dinner...and she called me this saturday to spend time with her...I wish I would have...Its sad to lose someone and never be able to tell them how much you love them...I love you Toni and I will never forget what you meant to me..I miss your silly laugh...you are in my heart...

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Posted by ronmelancon

October 29, 2009, 2:42PM

When you get a moment please say a prayer for the victim. Then go to www.dangeroustrailers.org and note... that this accident could have happened to each and every reader of this posting.

No regulations,, NO training,, no standards,,, for this class of vehicle.

Your state has nothing to charge him with... the most he will be charged with is an $80 fine and an unsecured load. That is it.

Please note that since 1975 over 15,211 lives have been lost by "passenger cars that tow trailers"

It is the lobby and special interest groups that are funded by U Haul and companies like Carry on trailers that have stopped our efforts and the Federal Government from doing anything about this pressing issue.

Please note... every time you are behind one of these trailers... get out of the way!

Woman killed after homemade trailer hits SUV near Rockford

By Barton Deiters | The Grand Rapids Press

October 28, 2009, 12:37PM

Update: Hitch pin likely came loose, causing fatal trailer-SUV crash, police said

COURTLAND TOWNSHIP -- A woman is dead after a homemade trailer hauled behind a van came unhinged on 10 Mile Road NE and flew through the windshield of an oncoming SUV.

The crash occurred just before 9:30 a.m. as the van was traveling east on 10 Mile Road near Brower Lake Road. Police said the trailer-hauling mechanism fell apart and the makeshift trailer flew over the top of a vehicle following and into the windshield of the westbound Mercury SUV, instantly killing the female driver, believed to be in her 40s, according to Kent County Sheriff's Deputy Steve Dabkowski.

A female passenger in the SUV was sent to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital with minor injuries, according to police. The van driver was not injured.

Police have not identified those involved and 10 Mile Road remained close for more than three hours after the crash.

E-mail Barton Deiters: bdeiters@grpress.com

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Hitch pin likely came loose, causing fatal trailer-SUV crash, police said

By John Tunison | The Grand Rapids Press

October 28, 2009, 2:26PM

UPDATE: Grattan Township woman victim of crash caused by runaway trailer

CANNON TOWNSHIP -- Police believe a metal pin holding a trailer hitch may have come loose or failed this morning on 10 Mile Road NE, causing a small trailer to let loose from a van and hit an oncoming SUV, killing a woman inside.

The driver of the SUV, identified by police as Toni Lynn Hall, 46, of Rockford, suffered a chest injury and died at the scene of the crash near Je-Ne-Be Drive NE after the trailer went airborne and hit the 2006 Mercury Mariner she was driving.

A woman passenger in the SUV, 39-year-old Debra Dianne Carter, was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, Kent County sheriff's deputies said.

The trailer, hauled behind a full-size van going east on 10 Mile Road, was carrying what appeared to be scrap metal in the 9:24 a.m. crash. The van's driver, Thomas Edward Dells, 58, of Rockford, was not injured.

Police said the hitch bar that fits into the van's square towing mechanism came free. When the trailer went airborne, it lifted over a car following the van and hit the westbound Mariner's windshield, with the trailer's tongue going through the glass. The hitch bar was still attached to the tongue of the trailer.

The Mariner driver then lost control and the vehicle rolled several times before landing upright in the road's south ditch, Kent County Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Dabkowski said.

Debris from the trailer were strewn along the north side of the road.

Dabkowski said a report on the incident would be forwarded to the Kent County Prosecutor's Office to see if the van's driver, who was not injured, should face any charges or citations.

Police said they did not find a license plate on the trailer, which appeared to be homemade.

Posted by a.a.b.

October 28, 2009, 2:48PM

This is a tragic accident. The driver of the van/trailer should definitely be sited. Even if the hitch failed, there are emergency precautions that should ALWAYS be followed. Furthermore, it is a law to have a license on trailers. The driver was negligent and tried to circumvent the law. And now, because of the driver's negligence a woman is dead. It could have been much, MUCH worse. An example should be made.

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Posted by pedro441

October 28, 2009, 3:04PM

a.a.b: "It could have been much, MUCH worse"

A woman is dead, I'm not sure it gets much worse than that.

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Posted by oneputtkelly

October 28, 2009, 3:50PM

Heartbreaking. Simply heartbreaking...
My heart goes out to the family of the victim!
Yes the driver of the VAN towing the trailer better be prosecuted.
There are safety measures that would have prevented this.
Safety Chains, re-enforced safety pins, etc....
my guess is the VAN driver was speeding over those hills there near that intersection and paid no heed to safety or the lives of others with this "homemade trailer".
I hope it is investigated thoroughly, let the facts come out and then throw the book at this VAN driver!
Again....to the famliy of the victim.....we are so sorry about your loss.

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Posted by ronmelancon

October 28, 2009, 4:59PM

The person who was towing a trailer that is obvious to any person as totally not worthy for the road.

The sad thing is the Sheriff department has nothing to charge him with except with a fine of under $100.00 and un secured load.

Your state has no inspections... no training on how to tow.... You do not even address "How to Tow" in your DMV manual.

In Ohio last month alone... a women was struck at her mail box by a LOOSE TRAILER...

A Father lost his life in Ohio by a loose trailer....it did not have a license plate and the driver did not stop...NOBODY KNOWS WHO KILLED HIM...

why?? IT IS THE powerful Utility Trailer industry that has stop any efforts to improve this class of vehicle.

This life did not have to end this way!!!!!!! "Random Victim Of Negligence"

We were just published as a letter to the editor in Texas..

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Posted by jpatrix

October 28, 2009, 5:26PM

Lesson of the day. "Clamp down on trailer trash"

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Posted by Thinkaboutit

October 28, 2009, 5:42PM

a.a.b.

Well I am not sure whether the driver of the van should be sited, but maybe cited? Furthermore, accidents do happen. This is very tragic, but your "sky is falling" attitude is a little much. Some how you draw the conclusion that the driver continually circumvents the law based on the trailer not having a license plate. Seriously, that is quite a jump!? I would also like you to explain how this could have been much worse. I mean hypotheticall I suppose this trailer could have kept rolling taken out a few school busses, ran over a a group of nuns crossing the street, and smushed a gathering of cute bunnies.

All being said, I feel terrible for everyone involved in this. The families of the deceased and the driver of the van. Clearly, none of this was intentional and it really is a shame.

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Posted by +openminded

October 28, 2009, 7:03PM

Several things need to be addressed in this very unfortunate incident.
1. If indeed the trailer was home-made then it needed some type of inspection to certify that it was roadworthy.
2. Were there safety chains employed?
3. Was the trailer licensed?
If no to any of these items the driver of the van should be facing criminal charges.
In my experience as custom trailer builder, hitch pins do not just fail unless a pin has been substituted of the incorrect diameter or material employed.
Someone's carelessness has caused the death of an innocent driver. At least that appears to be the case which is very saddening.

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Posted by ronmelancon

October 28, 2009, 7:03PM

Think about it....

Since 1975 15,211 lives have been lost by "Passenger Cars That Tow Trailers"

Since 1988 over 732,003 things like cars...vans,,and trailers destroyed..

Since 1988 over 435,154 people have been injured...

and we do nothing?

I find this unacceptable....

The van's driver is at fault... look at the condition of the trailer...

no plate..

no safety chains...

and he does not care about anybody's life who is behind him.

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Posted by craigyjoebob

October 28, 2009, 7:39PM

I am sorry for the loss of life. However your statement that 732003 vehicles were destroyed due too loose trailers, sounds like a great program like Cash For Clunkers, only without costing the government $3,000,000,000.00.

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Posted by stopandthinkaboutwhatyouaresaying

October 28, 2009, 10:18PM

very tragic for all involved, unless you idiots know the whole story... not just
the inaccurate bs on the local tv stations then please keep your stupid judgeMENTAL opinions to yourself. it was an accident! the driver is an incredible individual - selfless - in turmoil over this - would give you the shirt off his back - broken.......

you are all so wise and brave offering your ignorant opinions for the world to read as you sit hidden behind your computers in your underwear.... you fools.

accidents happen. horrible accidents that leave so many people asking why. i'm asking why in this case. innocence . . . . . . for all involved.

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Posted by a.a.b.

October 28, 2009, 11:19PM

Toni was a friend of mine. She was the most genuine person I know. For all those who question my "much" worse statement... what if it would have hit both cars? What if it had killed both passengers? Forgive me if I misspelled a word or two. I was in shock.
I am not stupid. I have been licensed in driving very big machinery. I understand legalities and I understand "Safety Precautions". It may have been an accident. But, if negligence was indeed the case (and not following proper safety precautions is negligence), something should be done.

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Unhooked trailer kills oncoming driver

Crash happened around 9:30 a.m.

Updated: Wednesday, 28 Oct 2009, 6:24 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 28 Oct 2009, 11:01 AM EDT

By Ken Kolker

CANNON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A trailer came unhooked from a van and flew into the windshield of an oncoming vehicle, killing that driver Wednesday morning.

The accident happened at 10 Mile Road and Je Ne Be in northern Kent County. The trailer was attached to a van headed east, but came unhooked. It flew over one westbound vehicle but hit the following car's windshield.

The driver was killed and the passenger suffered minor injuries.

Deputies told 24 Hour News 8 the homemade trailer was hauling salvage metals.

At this writing, no tickets have been issued, but police continue their investigation. Police say there are two possibilities: mechanical failure or negligence. If it's mechanical failure, there would be no charges. If negligence is involved, charges could follow.

Early indications are the steel pin that holds the ball mount to the van's hitch somehow came loose, allowing the trailer to break free.

"At this point, we can't find the pin," said Sgt. Steve Dabkowski of the Kent County Sheriff's Department. "He wouldn't have been able to pull the trailer if the pin wasn't in, so he had to start off with the pin in there and it somehow, it looks like the pin probably fell off somehow."

The owner of Hitches by George, Jim Peterman, told 24 Hour News 8 he's heard of only three hitches like this coming loose in his 40 years in the business, and none of them led to injuries.

The likely culprit, he said, is the clip that holds the pin in place.

"The clip has to come off the pin first and then the pin has to work out of the trailer," Peterman said.

Even without a pin, safety chains should have prevented the accident, Peterman said. They are required by state law. "Safety chains should have kept the trailer behind the vehicle, and not let it go airborne."

Investigators are trying to determine if safety chains were used and attached properly.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story.

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Daph4444 56p · 1 day ago

CANNON TWP., Mich. - Kent County Sheriff's Deputies are on the scene of a fatal accident in northern Kent County.

The three-car crash happened at the corner of 10 Mile Road and Brower around 9:30 Wednesday morning.

A van pulling a snowmobile-type trailer was heading eastbound on 10 Mile Road when the trailer disconnected while on a hill. The trailer flew over a car and landed on another vehicle heading westbound. The driver of that vehicle was killed and a passenger was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the van was uninjured.

10 Mile Road is closed between Je-ne-be and Brower and will be until about noon.

1 reply · active 22 hours ago

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FreeBird1 48p · 1 day ago

where were the safety chains???

4 replies · active 19 hours ago

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blr2449 47p · 1 day ago

Oh, my God! How horrible. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased driver.

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harleyjames 69p · 1 day ago

This is very sad! My prayers also for the passenger and the Family!

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planner 47p · 1 day ago

I am ALWAYS afraid of this happening whenever I am travelling behind a trailer or someone carrying lumber out the back ot their truck. My prayers are with the family of the deceased.

Safety chains must be used, this is the trailer drivers fault 100%.

9 replies · active 21 hours ago

blackflagged 44p · 1 day ago

1-7/8" ball, 2" ball...what's the difference.
Some people are idiots when it comes to that. So sad.

originalname 54p · 1 day ago

it flew OVER a car?!

1 reply · active 20 hours ago

JstMyHmblOpnion 36p · 1 day ago

Every time I end up behind a trailer of ANY kind, I wonder if it's going to come loose. Needless to say, I try not to stay behind one for long.
Prayers to the family of the victim. How sad.

2 replies · active 20 hours ago

shamelesshussy 66p · 23 hours ago

Tragic, tragic, tragic. I feel for the driver's family, getting that visit, that phone call...hugs to everyone.

holland_steve 23p · 23 hours ago

the pictures of the trailer tell a lot. the state of michigan lets you wander into the dmv with a list of things you used to MAKE the trailer, then they actually give you a title and a plate for it without EVER inspecting it. as tragic and horrible as this incident is, im actually suprised it doesnt hapen more often. i see trailers on the road that i wouldnt feel safe pulling around my lawn!

CandidResponse 35p · 22 hours ago

Who thinks the van driver isn't going to get charged? Of coarse the van driver is negligent. What's too bad is that this could have been prevented with a little dash of common sense from the van driver. Incorrect ball size, the lack of safety chains, and the lack of a locking hitch are all possible contributers to this. I wonder if WOOD will let us know if this driver had insurance. If the van driver did have some insurance, there may be some financial relief for the family of this victim.

llobo 52p · 22 hours ago

with proper chains, very unlikely, and the police would know that on scene.

Woodtvsux 45p · 22 hours ago

Looks like a POS trailer!

billyjean 58p · 22 hours ago

This is so horrible. The person towing the trailor probably feels terrible whether they are at fault ot not and the loss of life is just tragic. My condolences to the family. To those who were posting about "being there or not being there", this does not seem like the appropriate place for silly, mindless bantering and before you tell me to lighten up keep in mind the seriousness of this situation.

1 reply · active 22 hours ago

grama7 54p · 22 hours ago

It is disturbing that people who hook up trailers without chains think that the ball and hitch will stay put. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The owner of the trailer is definitely responsible for the damage and killing. I do hope there was insurance but that isn't going to remove the stupidity of this driver. A person is dead because of irresponsibility, period!

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Albeit -1p · 21 hours ago

"It flew over one westbound vehicle but hit the following car's windshield"
It flew? and flew over a vehicle? On 10 mile. Must have been going pretty fast to do that unless it was made out of tin foil. Most trailers in tow I see are passing me,and I'm a fast driver. They travel too fast. So do I.

If you want to see crazy trailer people with crazy trailers,go to Flowerland on Alpine during the start of the wood chip season. "Being There"... Peter Sellers.

Jeffd218 1p · 21 hours ago

Everybody is right about safety chains. I had a 2200 LB - 19 foot boat I was towing come loose at the hitch. Crossed safety chains, no harm, no foul.

My prayers to the family.

querida -43p · 20 hours ago

The driver that was killed was my maid of honor in my wedding 2 years ago. We have been estranged for a while and my heart just breaks for her children, grandchildren and her parents. Having been in a near fatal car wreck 5 years ago, my heart just aches for the family. I just wish I could go back and change things with Toni. My prayers and sympathies are abundant.

aduh 31p · 20 hours ago

SENSELESS NEGLIGENCE. Send it to the county prosecutor and hopefully harsh charges will follow.

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Ben69 51p · 19 hours ago

From someone who's towed a trailer before, never follow no matter how secure it looks! It doesn't matter how well you've prepared, every once in awhile something is going to get loose. Sadly the way you learn is by making mistakes, fortunately I've never killed anyone, but then I've never used a trailer without chains (if that is the case). I have lost a tail gate and other odds and ends.

2 replies · active 9 hours ago

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dlsrockford 1p · 18 hours ago

My prayers go out to the family of the deceased and the driver and family of the trailer! It says the driver of the van was uninjured physically, but I am sure this person emotionally is at ends! It does not matter whether it was this persons fault or not, you do not get over taking someones life! Even IF it was this person fault, I am sure this person did not set out to do wrong!

2_bits 25p · 18 hours ago

Its a unfortunate issue , however a Homemade trailer my dad even made one years ago, and had all the legal plates, lights and saftey chains, and the right trailer ball was on there. and he made absolutely sure of everything, the tires were regular car tires 14 inch I think, and the axel assembly was a car or truck . had 2 inch wooden box and a very heavy made frame. used it to haul things including scrap iron and it was made to carry a boat when you removed the 1 inch thick bolt , the box had to be lifted off the frame and took 2 people to lift it. today I do not know whatever happened to it. My dad bought the roof carriers to reduce bridge costs going over the Mackinaw Bridge & Soo Bridge ( they charge by the axel BTW ) . Also If there is enough evidence thats the PA's job not the public. A attorney I knew stated like a chair 4 legs to stand on if there is enough evidence , otherwise it will not stand.

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muskrat12 3p · 17 hours ago

Freak accident.

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ottawacounty 16p · 17 hours ago

Not a freak accident at all. Negligence. The person towing the trailer should get a lot of time in prison to think about safety chains.

1 reply · active 15 hours ago

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RonMelancon 20p · 8 hours ago

Please... I do have NATIONAL NUMBERS FOR YOU...!! Please go to www.dangeroustrailers.org First of all...we do NOT HAVE A STANDARD FOR THESE HITCHES...!!!! Anybody can build one... Second...NO training is required before you can tow!!!!! Safety Chains do not always work... you know why!! NO STANDARD.... you can use a bicycle chain... Look at the condition of the trailer.... is it really roadworthy?

This life was lost because of NO STANDARDS... Safety chains most often break anyhow....

This life was lost due to a complete breakdown of law enforcement, breakdown of our Federal and State Government to improve this class of vehicle.

It is companies like U Haul,,, and Carry On trailers that has spent and out spent my organization at www.dangeroustrailers.org over $8.00 of Reflector Tape in Virginia... the only STATE to require it on these Black trailers that do not always have working lights.

Our organization has been trying to address this ongoing concern for almost seven years. I urge The Viewers of this Television Station to go to dangeroustrailers.org
and the next time they’re out and about, to take notice of the countless number of trailers being hauled daily on our roadways.

If they look closely, they’ll see many are improperly attached to the tow vehicle, don’t have working lights, safety chains and are unacceptably maintained.

They should then ask themselves: “Why am I riding behind or next to this person trying to kill or injure my family and me?”

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1 reply · active 7 hours ago

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RonMelancon 20p

“President and Founder www.dangeroustrailers.org”

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RonMelancon 20p · 8 hours ago

You want numbers... since 1975 over 15,211 lives have been lost due to "Passenger Cars That Tow Trailers"

Since 1988 over 735,256 things have been damaged.......like cars, trucks and homes

Since 1988 over 425,452 people injured....and our leaders do nothing.

Please see this Crash Team Report from the Virginia State Crash Team... and Our Governor Tim Kaine does nothing.... I have given his office this report and video's just like the one on this page and nothing..
http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/WRVA_Interview.h...

USA Today was going to do a story on this last week... but we believe they got a phone call from the Government not to run the story.

Why....??? Who is behind the total lack of any standard for these types of vehicles?

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RonMelancon 20p · 8 hours ago

When you are behind these trailers... get out of the way..

Look at these E Mails I have received..

Hi Ron-Wanted to write to you and say thanks for your care and concern over the recent death of my son. I am having a very hard time right now as you can imagine. He was my youngest and I miss him so much. I cry every day . I am crying now as I write this to you. I cannot put into words the anger I feel now over this terrible tragedy. I hope you and your organization can change the laws so this never has to happen to another family. Thank you for taking time for me.

NO SAFETY CHAINS WERE USED

Even the PA for Nicholas Cage was killed in Hawaii last month ... His name was Michael Davidson..
Go here ... Hawaii has no SAFETY CHAINS Laws... 8 States do not have this requirement...

362 lives in Michigan have been lost since 1975....by "Passenger Cars That Tow Trailers" and a sad fact we can add one more...

363 lives have been lost!! What is the state of Michigan going to do now?

And here is what a Virginia State Trooper E Mailed me about Caitlyn Johnson who lost her life last month in Virginia... Her Daughter 8 months survived....

It is the same all over the United States...
http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/Page_4BKB.html

http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/Why_Did_Michael_...
Ron,

I'm just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your passion involving these trailers. On a weekly basis I issue summons to operators of these types of vehicles to include dead inspections, no state inspections, no break away brake cable, no safety chains and other related violations. I make an effort to check every 2 axle trailer I pass during my routine patrol duties when I have free time. Some of us do take these matters very seriously. I have even spoken to the assistant manager at my local Home Depot reference them complying with state law and inspecting their rental trailers. I've noticed that some of them now have inspections and I will be checking them again soon, this time while on duty for a bigger impact. On a daily basis I look at the vehicle belonging to the young woman that was killed with her 8 month old child in the vehicle by an unsecured, poorly loaded 2 axle trailer. The vehicle is in the impound lot at our division headquarters. This keeps me motivated to enforce these laws, thanks for all your efforts.

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GRPete 42p · 5 hours ago

This is a tragedy but might just be an accident. There are obviously chains on the trailer. I have never liked the way the chains just hook on most hitches, I alwasy wondered why they did not have a more secure latch type arrangement. Some of these homemade trailers are more s****y than ones you can buy. Furthermore it does not look like that had anything to do with this, it was the hitch that failed, not the trailer.

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GRwanab 1p · 2 hours ago

Ron, what a stupid cause to get behind.

"Since 1975 15,211 lives have been lost by "Passenger Cars That Tow Trailers." That stat doesn't even state that a trailer had anything to do with the accident. Furthermore, what is that 450 deaths a year?! DEAR GOD, why do we even allow trailers on the road!! Let alone cars!!

Deer cause around 150 deaths from fatal accidents a year. I think it is time to take a stand! Let's eliminate all deer. Now I am going to make a webpage and copy and paste comments on every article relating to deer accross the United States. No need to thank me people, even though the life I could be saving is yours...

RonMelancon 20p · 2 hours ago

Dear Gwarnab

Jury Awards Woman $8.6 Million Dollars Against The Manufacturer Of An Allegedly Defective Towing Coupler Manufactured By Dutton-Lainson Company of Hastings, Nebraska

A Missouri woman who sustained serious head injuries when a towing coupler came apart from a large homemade house trailer that crashed head on into her car successfully won $8.6 million dollars against the manufacturer of the towing coupler. The jury determined that the Dutton-Lainson Company of Hastings, Nebraska knew about the defect in the coupler but did not correct it or issue a warning about it. The victim sustained serious head injuries when the coupler came apart on Illinois Route 143 in April 1997. The significant $8.6 million dollar damage verdict was broken down as $5 million dollars in punitive damages against Dutton-Lainson, $3.6 million dollars in natural damages against the companies and firm whose employees were towing the trailer. Dutton-Lainson’s attorney stated that the company will make all attempts to reverse the verdict.

The defective trailer lawyers at the Philadelphia defective trailer accident law firm of Reiff and Bily have long warned that in many states, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, very minimal regulation exists with regard to trailers and their coupling devices. Many state laws, including Pennsylvania, are silent as to design or construction specifications for towed vehicles or for towing chains or hitches. All too often there are many safety violations and product defects that ultimately lead to catastrophic injuries and fatalities. There is no Federal law, national agency, or Pennsylvania law that requires reporting or regulation of defective trailer coupler accidents.

In the Dutton-Lainson case, information revealed that the manufacturer of the towing coupler was aware of at least 8 other accidents since 1978 where the coupler came apart, and further, an engineer recommended a study of the problem yet the company did nothing about it.

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1 reply · active 1 hour ago