This past weekend, a fiery single-car crash in Santa Clarita, California claimed the life of actor Paul Walker and his racing team partner, Roger Rodas. Walker is perhaps best known for his work in the “Fast & Furious” movies. The accident occurred following a typhoon relief charity benefit event for Walker’s non-profit organization, Reach Out Worldwide.
While not many of us drive exotic cars like the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT that Walker and Rodas were riding in at the time of their accident, their tragic, high-profile crash has sparked many discussions about single-car collisions. These discussions are important, because we are all at risk for being involved in this type of accident every time we drive or ride in a vehicle.
Single-car crashes are often deadly, with accidents involving only one vehicle accounting for a whopping sixty-five percent of all fatal car accidents in the United States. Fortunately, many of these calamities can be avoided. If drivers familiarize themselves with the factors that cause one-car collisions, they can reduce the danger to their own lives, as well as the lives of their passengers, by managing those risks that are within their control. Common preventable causes of single-car wrecks include speeding, distracted driving, driving while intoxicated, and drowsiness.
In addition to the risk factors which drivers are able to manage on their own, there are some things which cause single-car accidents that drivers may not be able to control or avoid. Things like the behavior of other drivers, problems with roadway design, and mechanical defects may create situations where the driver of a vehicle is not able to actively avoid a fatal crash.
The actual cause of the accident which killed Paul Walker and Roger Rodas has not yet been determined. This is very troubling for their families, friends, and fans, who desperately want to know what happened. After a fatal car crash, a definitive answer to the question of why the crash occurred can be a source of comfort for the victims’ family and friends. Absent a conclusive answer about the cause of a deadly collision, those who are mourning the loss of the victims’ lives are likely to work through a number of hypothetical scenarios in their minds, hoping to make some sense out of whatever information is available regarding the circumstances under which their loved ones perished.
When the cause of the accident which claimed the lives of Paul Walker and Roger Rodas is determined, the issue of liability will be discussed. Liability for a motor vehicle accident can be ascribed to anyone whose actions caused the accident either on their own or in conjunction with the actions of others. For example, when occupants of a vehicle are injured or killed as a result of a mechanical defect, the manufacturer of the defective vehicle, the defective part, and sometimes even mechanics who serviced the vehicle are potentially liable to the accident victims or their next of kin for their injuries. If another driver was acting recklessly and their conduct required the driver of the vehicle that crashed to swerve or otherwise attempt to avoid hitting them, they may be liable for damages or losses caused by the accident.
After a damaging or fatal car accident, it is important that those who are responsible for injuries or lost lives are held responsible for their actions. If you have been hurt in a single-car accident, you may be able to recover for your injuries. Family members of people who were killed in one-car crashes may also be able to recover for the loss of their loved ones. To learn more about your case, please call the Wichita office of Cummings & Cummings, LLC at (316) 264-1548.