Paul Walker's daughter is suing Porsche

[Express]

Paul Walker's daughter is suing Porsche


29th September 2015




Paul Walker's daughter is suing Porsche following the actors death after a car accident while a passenger in a Porsche Carrera GT. Photo: Simon Alekna


Paul Walker's teen daughter Meadow has hit bosses at Porsche with a wrongful death lawsuit following his fatal crash in one of their cars in November, 2013.

The Fast & Furious star was the passenger in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend Roger Rodas, when it slammed into a light pole and burst into flames, killing him and Walker.

And now nearly two years after his passing, 16-year-old Meadow and her lawyers are taking legal action against executives at the car giant, claiming faulty mechanics are to blame for his death, since an official autopsy declared he was not killed by the impact of the crash alone, but burned to death once the car exploded.



Paul Walker died after being involved in an accident while in a Porsche Carrera GT. Photo: Supplied


In legal documents obtained by TMZ, lawyers claim the actor's seat belt "snapped Walker's torso back with thousands of pounds of force, thereby breaking his ribs and pelvis" and subsequently trapping him in the passenger seat.

They go on to claim the fire did not break out until one minute and 20 seconds after impact, but Walker could not escape, alleging, "Paul Walker breathed soot into his trachea while the Porsche Carrera GT burned."

In addition to claims of defective fuel lines and side door reinforcements, Meadow's lawyers also state in the suit that the the car had "a history of instability and control issues".

They are also contesting law enforcement records that suggest Rodas was driving as fast as 149km/h when he lost control of the vehicle.

Meadow's lawyer claims, "The bottom line is that the Porsche Carrera GT is a dangerous car. It doesn't belong on the street. And we shouldn't be without Paul Walker or his friend, Roger Rodas."

Last year, Rodas' widow Kristine filed a similar lawsuit against Porsche's North American bosses, alleging negligence and wrongful death. A judge dismissed many of the plaintiff's claims in February, but ruled that Porsche bosses still had to face allegations suggesting the car was defectively designed.

In their response, the company's lawyers wrote, "Roger Rodas's death, and all other injuries or damages claimed, were the result of Roger Rodas's own comparative fault... (He) chose to conduct himself in a manner so as to expose himself and others to such perils, dangers and risks."

- WENN

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/p...29-gjx6k4.html