Many Arkansas movie fans remember the November 2013 crash that killed the late actor Paul Walker and his friend who was driving the car. Now, Walker’s teenage daughter has sued Porsche over the 2013 crash that killed her father, even though the crash was found by an initial investigation report to be caused by excessive speed. According to her lawsuit, the car was manufactured without a stabilization system, which allegedly could have prevented the fatal result.
Walker was a passenger in a 2004 Porsche Carrera GT model which, according to police reports, was going 94 miles per hour when it crashed. In addition to the failure to include a life-saving stabilization system, the lawsuit filed by Walker’s daughter also argues that the seat belt he was wearing trapped him inside.The lawsuit further alleges that the car’s side doors had insufficient reinforcements and that the cause of death was the fire, which didn’t break out until about a minute and 20 seconds after impact.
Even though police reports state that the car was travelling at excessive speeds, the plaintiff may prevail if she can show that defects in the car’s manufacture caused Walker’s death. Many cases have held that auto manufacturers are obligated to make their vehicles crash-worthy.
After the loss of a loved one due to a fatal car accident, the decedent’s family members may wish to consult an attorney about the possibility of filing a wrongful death lawsuit. As in the case of a personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiffs will need to demonstrate negligence on the part of the defendant.