For most Los Angeles motorists, following the rules of the road will lead to safe travels. Unfortunately, no matter how closely one obeys traffic laws, there are situations that can completely remove driver responsibility from the equation – situations such as mechanical malfunctions. One such instance may have led to a recent LAPD officer’s death.
Two LAPD officers were traveling to a call when a large trash truck collided with their squad car. One officer was killed while the other was hospitalized with serious injuries. While the exact details of the incident are still being investigated, authorities are examining the possibility that brake failure of the trash truck may have led to the collision.
While there are numerous details that could change the course of the investigation, if the brakes did fail on the trash truck, it could open the doors to a wrongful death suit on the grounds of product liability. Manufacturers and sellers have a responsibility to provide a product that meets normal expectations of a consumer. While there is no concrete evidence to support a manufacturer’s wrongdoing, if the investigation’s findings do support a product malfunction, there could be grounds for the deceased officer’s family to file a wrongful death suit.
Whether stemmed from a case of product liability or otherwise, wrongful death suit can help families who have lost a loved one start on the road to recovery. While nothing can ever replace the life of a human being, proper legal guidance can help award damages including funeral expense, loss of income and more. This compensation can hopefully set a comfortable path for the family as they grieve and, with time, heal.
Source: latimes.com, “Truck’s possible brake failure may have led to fatal LAPD crash,” Joseph Serna, March 7, 2014