One moment, you’re driving out for a relaxing weekend at Bay Shore Park, and the next, an unexpected RV accident changes everything. For many people in Green Bay, recreational vehicles are part of everyday life and have become increasingly popular for travel and leisure, especially during vacations and holidays.

However, when one of these vehicles crashes or flips, the consequences can be far more severe than those of a typical car accident. RVs, campers, trailers, and off-road vehicles are large, heavy, and often harder to control. If you’ve never been through an RV accident before, it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed.

Who’s responsible? Which insurance policy applies? What are you supposed to do next? With years of handling vehicle accident cases in Green Bay, Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers understands both Wisconsin’s unique insurance laws and the technical details that make or break these claims. We can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Types of Recreational Vehicles and Accidents

1. Motorhomes: These are large vehicles that combine living space with a driver’s cabin, functioning as a house on wheels. They come in three main types:

• Class A, which are large, bus-like vehicles ideal for long road trips
• Class B, which are smaller, van-like RVs with basic living amenities
• Class C, mid-sized motorhomes built on a truck chassis with a sleeping area over the cab

Motorhomes are often used for family vacations, long-distance travel, or full-time living on the road. However, due to their size and high center of gravity, they are difficult to maneuver, making them prone to rollovers, collisions, and jackknife accidents when towing trailers.

2. Camper Vans: While easier to drive than full-sized motorhomes, they are built on standard van chassis with basic living features like beds, kitchens, and storage. They’re popular for short-distance travel, like a weekend trip to Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary or Point Beach State Forest.

3. Fifth Wheel Trailers: These are large trailers that attach to a pickup truck using a special hitch, providing spacious living areas separate from the towing vehicle. They are popular for extended camping trips or family road travel. Accidents can occur from swerving, jackknifing, detachment, or loss of control when overloaded.

4. Travel Trailers: These are smaller trailers towed with a standard hitch, offering sleeping and kitchen space for short trips or weekend getaways. They are lighter and easier to tow than fifth wheel trailers. Improper loading or uneven weight distribution can cause trailer sway, rollovers, or collisions.

Common Causes of RV Accidents in Green Bay

Some of the most common causes include:

Driver Inexperience or Negligence: Operating a large RV or UTV requires more skill than driving a standard car. In Green Bay, many accidents occur because drivers misjudge stopping distances, take turns too sharply, or become distracted while driving, and driver negligence is often a key factor in proving liability in an accident.

Improper Loading or Weight Distribution: Overloading an RV or unevenly distributing cargo can severely affect stability. This increases the risk of rollovers, tip-overs, or loss of control, particularly on highways or winding rural roads around Door County or other nearby areas.

Mechanical Failures: Brake failures, worn tires, or faulty hitches can turn even minor mistakes into serious accidents. If a mechanical problem causes a crash, liability may extend beyond the driver to manufacturers, mechanics, or rental companies. In Green Bay, where RV travel and off-road recreation are common, mechanical failures are a frequent cause of serious injuries.

RV Accident Injuries

RV accidents can be more severe than standard car crashes, especially on Green Bay’s busy highways like the Highway 29 east bridge and Lombardi Avenue, or during the region’s frequent snowy and icy winter conditions. Here are some common injuries you can sustain in an RV crash:

Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious injuries in RV accidents due to the force of impact and the lack of seatbelts in some areas of the vehicle. Unlike standard vehicles, where passengers are typically restrained, RVs often have living areas where occupants may be seated without proper protection. As a result, when a collision or rollover occurs, unsecured passengers can be thrown around inside the vehicle, leading to severe head trauma.

Neck and Spine Injuries: Neck and spine injuries are especially serious in RV accidents, largely due to the vehicle’s size, height, and tendency to roll over during sudden maneuvers. Sudden stops can cause the head to snap violently forward and backward, leading to whiplash, while the intense pressure on the spine may result in herniated discs or even vertebral fractures. In more severe cases, damage to the spinal cord can occur, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis.

Broken Bones: High-impact forces and falls inside the RV cabin often lead to broken bones, especially in the arms and wrists from bracing during impact, as well as the legs, ankles, and ribs when passengers are thrown against hard surfaces. In more severe crashes, hip and pelvic fractures can also occur.

Abdominal and Internal Injuries: Abdominal and internal injuries are also common in RV accidents, particularly because heavy interior items such as tables, cabinets, and appliances can detach and strike passengers during a collision or rollover. The force of these impacts can cause serious harm, including organ damage to the spleen, liver, or kidneys, internal bleeding, and other forms of abdominal trauma.

What to Do After an RV Accident in Green Bay

1. Call 911 and get medical help.

Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to involve emergency services immediately. The Green Bay Police Department will document the scene, create an official crash report, and ensure that anyone injured receives prompt medical attention. Early medical documentation is also important for any personal injury claim. Here are some hospitals around Green Bay where you can receive urgent treatment:

• Green Bay ER & Hospital
• Aurora BayCare Medical Center Emergency Room
• HSHS St. Vincent Hospital
• Bellin Health Emergency Green Bay

2. Document the scene.

Take photos and videos of the vehicles, RV interior, road conditions, skid marks, debris, and weather. Notes about the accident location and circumstances can be critical evidence in proving fault, especially when unsecured items cause hidden injuries.

3. Exchange information.

Collect contact details from all drivers, passengers, and witnesses, along with insurance and vehicle registration information.

4. Contact a Green Bay RV accident lawyer.

An experienced attorney can obtain the official accident report from the responding agency, review all evidence, and help you navigate complex insurance claims. They can also identify liable parties, whether it’s another driver, a rental company, or a manufacturer, and ensure you receive full compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and long-term injuries.

Green Bay Brain Injury Support Resources

If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury in an RV accident, these local organizations can help with your recovery while Brian Hodgkiss handles your legal claim:

• Curative Connections: Offers adult day programs, rehabilitation services, social support, and long-term assistance for individuals recovering from brain injuries
• Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency: Offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy services for recovery from bone and joint injuries
• HSHS St. Vincent Hospital: Offers a support group to those who have sustained a brain injury, as well as their friends and family members

Speak with a Lawyer Today

RV accidents are more complex than regular car crashes. The insurance claims are harder to navigate, the injuries are often more severe, and Wisconsin gives you three years to file. Determining who’s responsible can be overwhelming. If you’ve been in an RV accident, contact Brian Hodgkiss today for a free consultation to start your claim and get the compensation you deserve.