Fellow Cast Members Pay Tribute to Paul Walker
Paul Walker was heading out from his Los Angeles charity event with his buddy Roger Rodas when Rodas’s Porsche Carrera suddenly collided into a concrete pole surrounded by trees, causing the car to explode in a blast of fire. The crash killed both Walker and Rodas before either could be administered medical attention.
This was November 30, 2013 — 2 years ago yesterday. And Walker’s untimely passing is still fresh on the minds of some of the people who knew him best: the cast of his famous Fast And Furious film series.
The Fast And Furious Cast Remembers
Vin Diesel has actually paid tribute to Walker’s memory a couple of times this year. At April’s MTV Movie Awards, he performed a song from the soundtrack of Furious 7, the film that was in production when Walker died. Appropriately, the song is called “See You Again.” Later, at the August Teen Choice Awards, he dedicated his award for Furious 7 to Paul Walker. On the anniversary of the crash, Vin Diesel also posted an Instagram in memory of his friend with the caption: “No matter where you are in the universe… You will always be my brother.”
Vin Diesel wasn’t the only cast member to honor Walker with an Instagram. Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, and Jordana Brewster each posted a photo expressing their still-fresh sorrow at the loss of their long-time friend and co-star.
A Morbidly Appropriate Demise
One can’t help but notice the irony of Paul Walker dying in a high-speed car accident, considering his claim to fame in the Fast And Furious movies. Of course, he wasn’t behind the wheel when the collision occurred — that was the friend, Roger Rodas. He was also the owner of the Porsche Carrera GT in which they crashed.
Still, the fact that we’re talking about Paul Walker begs the question: how fast WERE they going?
According to the coroner’s original report, Walker and Rodas were traveling at a maximum speed of 100 mph… in a 45 mph speed zone. As the investigation continued, it was determined that the Porsche had reached speeds between 80 and 93 mph when it crashed.
As one might assume, fast and furious speed was the main reason for collision.
Was Walker’s Death “Wrongful?”
Two days before the anniversary of Walker’s fatal car accident, his dad filed a lawsuit against Porsche on grounds of wrongful death and negligence. His claims also seem to imply allegations of defective products, which brings into question manufacturer liability. In his lawsuit, Walker’s father states:
“[The vehicle] lacked safety features that are found on well-designed racing cars or even Porsche’s least-expensive road cars — features that could have prevented the accident, or, at a minimum, allowed Paul Walker to survive the crash.”
This is the third lawsuit brought against Porsche in response to Walker and Rodas’s deaths. The first was filed by Rodas’s widow in 2014 and the second by Walker’s teen daughter in September of this year. Neither case is yet resolved, and Porsche representatives maintain that liability falls on Roger Rodas.
How Negligence And Wrongful Death Lawsuits Work:
These kinds of cases are often brought up in response to car accidents, due to frequency of crashes caused by either negligence or some form of product liability. They’re typically filed by the family of deceased victims seeking compensation for emotional distress and financial hardship triggered by the “wrongful death.” Lawsuits are often filed against negligent drivers, but in situations like the Walker crash, wrongful death liability can also fall on manufacturers of vehicles if malfunction or defect can be proved.
If Walker’s family was filing wrongful death lawsuits in Tennessee, it’s likely that they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on simply based on the statute of limitations. State law maintains that such cases must be filed within 1 year of the victim’s death. Both Walker’s father and daughter missed that deadline, although it’s important to remember that there are exceptions and legislation differs state by state.
Should You File For Wrongful Death?
If you’re suffering from the loss of a loved one and there’s any suspicion that his or her death may have happened at the fault of another, then you probably have grounds for a wrongful death case. You deserve to be compensated for the trauma such an incident has doubtlessly caused, and the best way to ensure success in the courtroom is to get excellent legal representation.
At Turner Law Offices, P.C., our team of attorneys has years of experience working with clients across a wide range of cases involving negligence and wrongful death. Even if you’re uncertain of whether your circumstances qualify, it doesn’t hurt to ask: the first consultation is always free. Call today, or go online to set up an appointment with a skilled lawyer who’s ready and waiting to get you on track toward the justice you deserve.
