A handful of celebrity deaths occurred this year including comedians, musicians, and actors. None have been as unfortunate as the passing of Anton Yelchin. Yelchin was a rising actor that had starred in numerous films including Alpha Dog and Star Trek, leaving behind a promising career. This past June, Yelchin was leaving his home when his Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was supposed to have been in ‘PARK’, rolled backward down the driveway pinning Yelchin to his security gate. The freak accident left Yelchin unable to move. He was pronounced dead later that day at the age of 27.
Parents File Lawsuit
The parents of Anton Yelchin, Irina Korina and Viktor Yelchin, are suing the makers of the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Fiat Chrysler) contending that the gear selector was defective and poorly designed and manufactured. The parents filed a wrongful death and product liability suit against Fiat Chrysler in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Previous to the suit being filed, Fiat Chrysler had released a new statement saying the company “extends its sympathies to the Yelchin family for their tragic loss.”
Irina and Viktor Yelchin at a news conference announcing lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler.
The actor was the Yelchins’ only son and filed to oversee his estate which is valued at $1.4 million. At a news conference, Viktor Yelchin expressed how it is wrong and “…against nature when the parents bury their own child”, adding that in spite of their unbelievable grief “we decided to come here to prevent other families from the same tragedy.”
No amount has been discussed as to the damages the Yelchin’s are seeking. Their attorney, Gary A. Dordick, expressed that they want the company to be punished and hope that their business practice will change as a result of this lawsuit. Dordick said that the automaker puts profits before safety and that the recall was way “too little and way too late.”
Vehicle Under Recall
The SUV was under a recall when it killed Yelchin at his home in June, with 1.1 million vehicles recalled in April because of gear shifters. The government investigation into the gear shifters found 266 crashes that had injured 68 people as of late June. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had released a recall notice illustrating the defect associated with the 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. In the notice, it warned owners that their vehicle “may roll away striking and injuring you” if the vehicle’s engine is left running, the parking brake is not engaged, and the vehicle is not in the “PARK” position before exiting the vehicle.
Fiat Chrysler had announced that it anticipated having software updates necessary to fix the issue with their vehicles no later than July or August. A spokesman for Fiat Chrysler, Eric Mayne, said the company would conduct a thorough investigation of Yelchin’s accident stating that “it is premature to speculate on its cause at this time.”
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
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- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
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