Parents Sue Car Maker for Actor’s Fatal Auto Accident
The parents of an actor who recently died in an auto accident has sued the car manufacturer for negligence and product liability. The wrongful death lawsuit stemmed from the untimely death of a 27-year old actor who appeared in the Star Trek movies.
Details of Auto Accident
The lawsuit alleges that the victim parked his vehicle in his driveway, left the car and walked down the steep driveway when the car came out of gear, rolled backwards, crushing the victim against a brick wall and fence.
Two months earlier, the car company publicly announced a recall of more than 1.1 million vehicles, including the model that killed the actor, due to problematic gear selectors that would cause the vehicles to rollaway after drivers exit them. The lawsuit also alleges that days after the actor’s accident, the car maker sent a letter informing him of the car’s recall due to problems associated with the car’s transmission. The letter stated that the vehicle may roll away striking and injuring its driver, passengers or bystanders when the car’s parking brake is not engaged and the car’s transmission is not in ‘PARK’.
The NHTSA has said that the problematic gear selectors have already led to hundreds of reported crashes and numerous injuries.
Manufacturer’s Strict Liability
California tort law provides that a manufacturer may be held liable for putting a defective product on the market if the injury complained of results from a reasonably foreseeable use of the product.
The liability may arise from a:
Manufacturing defect
Design defect
Warning defect
To succeed in a negligence claims case, plaintiff must show that the defendant had a legal obligation to them, breached that obligation, and that the breach caused the injury. A car manufacturer has a duty to exercise reasonable care in its design so that it can be safely used a intended by its buyer.
If you or a loved one is injured in an auto accident related to a design or manufacturing defect, it’s important to speak to an attorney immediately about it. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, your attorney may determine whether a potential claim for compensation exists and assist you in presenting your claim within the prescribed period.
In Los Angeles, California, the Bedford Law Group has a team of dedicated attorneys who possess extensive experience in auto accidents. Our Firm will work very hard to obtain the true value of compensation that you legally deserve.
We also handle other types of personal injury cases such as dog bite, pedestrian accidents, brain injury, and wrongful death.
We invite you to call us today at (310) 507-7900 for a free evaluation of your situation.