Fans of the popular Fast and Furious movie franchise are well aware of the tragic car accident that took the life of actor Paul Walker, who was a passenger in a speeding sports car driven by a friend when it crashed. About two years after the crash, Walker's daughter filed a lawsuit against the car manufacturer essentially on the grounds that better safety features might have prevented her father's death.

Each Los Angeles wrongful death attorney at our firm is highly interested in the progress of this suit because the complexities of the evidence make the determination of liability highly unpredictable.

More Questions Than Answers Can Lead to Unpredictable Legal Cases

Without a doubt, it is clear that the Porsche Carrera GT is intended for fast driving, but, according to a NBC News article at the time of the wrongful death case, the suit alleged that several car defects were responsible for Walker’s death:

• The car lacked an electronic stability control system, which causes it to sway with the smallest destabilization, such as potholes and road markers.
• It lacked break-free fittings that would automatically cut down the flow of fuel, which caused the fire that killed Walker.
• Defective seat belt restraints broke Walker's ribs and pelvis and trapped him in the car for more than a minute.

While these appear to be convincing arguments to prove liability, Porsche quickly refuted the claims. According to an article from CNN, the car company blames Mr. Walker. Even though Walker was not driving the car, they claimed that the vehicle had been altered after sale. Furthermore, the defense argues that as a knowledgeable and sophisticated user, Walker knowingly exposed himself to the risks associated with the use of the vehicle. As such, it argues that Walker bears comparative fault for his own demise.

Naturally local authorities conducted investigations at the time of the accident. The Los Angeles County Coroner claimed that the car exceeded more than 100 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of the collision, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office and California Highway Patrol both focused on speeds in the 80 to 93 mph range in their reports. A review of video surveillance shows the speeds may only have been between 63 to 71 mph.

The Final Verdict May Boil Down to Jury Opinions and Sentiments

A wrongful death suit can be tried before a judge or a jury. Assuming that the case does not settle out of court prior to a trial, the attorneys on both sides of the case are likely to present many technical details to create convincing cases. However, since significant contradictions exist in this case, sentiments in favor of a popular actor over a car manufacturer can potentially prevail.

It is important to seek help from a compassionate attorney who can handle the details of a lawsuit while providing family members with the time they need to grieve. Call The Rudman Law Firm APC at 844-478-3626 / (844) 4RUDMAN, at our Los Angeles office at 213-375-3777 or at our Studio City office 818-769-6969.