Yes. Celebrities seem to get away with a lot more than regular people but are still liable for the car accidents they cause. They will have a car insurance policy that you can file an injury claim against.
Are Celebrities Treated Differently When Caught Driving Under the Influence?
It may appear that celebrities face a different rule book when they get in trouble for reckless driving. In cases where you and I might lose our licenses or even serve jail time, some celebrities might skate by with a slap on the wrist. They may even get some free publicity on social media.
An article posted on Bartleby Research points to how some celebrities serve far less jail time than they are sentenced to because of loopholes for famous faces. Khloe Kardashian served just hours of her 30-day sentence for a DUI conviction. The reason given was that the prison was overcrowded. The author of the article casts doubt on the notion that Khloe was next in line to be released. More likely, her notoriety got her out earlier than others who had been in longer.
In a more recent case, a soap opera star is being sued after allegedly causing a head-on collision in Pasadena while intoxicated. TMZ reported on the incident that happened on April 29, 2023. Investigators say “General Hospital” star Haley Pullos was driving the wrong way on a freeway exit ramp when she collided with another car. A man in the other vehicle has filed a lawsuit after suffering critical injuries. Officers believe that Pullos was driving under the influence of the weed edibles and tequila found in her vehicle.
It remains to be seen how criminal charges will play out for the soap star and how easy it will be for the injured victim to win a court ruling and compensation in a judgment to pay for recovery costs.
The Difference Between Criminal Charges and a Car Accident Claim
Celebrities usually have the money to afford the best lawyers who can help them avoid blame in accidents, or at least reduce the punishments handed out. But those cases are often involving criminal acts. When it comes to car accident victims seeking compensation, the outcomes are usually different.
Civil cases over the property damage or injuries the celebrities cause would be settled separately from criminal charges. A celebrity charged with DUI or a Hit-And-Run could face a criminal trial. But those injured in the car collision would file a civil injury claim. This claim is separate. It could be filed even if a criminal hearing hadn’t happened yet. A civil claim can be filed immediately so that victims can hopefully pay their recovery costs sooner.
The celebrity should have car insurance, and an injured party could seek full compensation for recovery costs from the car insurance company involved. However, take caution. In any case involving car insurance representatives, it’s never a good idea to trust that you will be treated fairly.
Whether your injury was caused by a Hollywood star or a regular person, their insurance companies will often use tactics to reduce the amount of support you receive. An insurance adjuster may try to shift blame from the celebrity to you, just so the insurance company doesn’t have to pay you anything. They may also downplay the seriousness of your injury, hoping to shortchange you and leave you with 50% or more of your medical bills to pay yourself.
A skilled California Car Accident Lawyer collects evidence to prove your innocence and builds a strong case that celebrities, their lawyers, and their insurance reps can’t poke holes in. Your lawyer is your safeguard against unfair treatment and works to maximize the support you receive, even when celebrities don’t want to accept blame for their actions.
Can I Get a Lot of Money if I’m Injured by a Celebrity?
Not always. Your settlement check total will depend on the seriousness of your injury and how it impacts your normal life. This support is more likely to come from the celebrity’s car insurance company and can vary in amount depending on the policy’s limits.
If a Hollywood star’s car insurance policy is the bare minimum, the limit may be reached before all of your hospital bills are paid. In this case, your lawyer would consider suing the famous driver on your behalf to get the rest of the support needed to help you pay for a full recovery.
You don’t want to accept a “lowball” settlement offer and then find you have to have additional surgeries or physical therapy in the months ahead. If those possibilities aren’t factored into a proper settlement, the costs might end up coming out of your own savings or becoming your debt.
If the celebrity was driving without any insurance coverage, it’s more likely you’d have to sue the driver and try to win support from their personal assets. Your lawyer would be ready to file a lawsuit and take the celebrity before a judge if you didn’t receive everything you needed to rebuild your health and your life.
Compensation Available After Traffic Accident Caused by a Celebrity
The negotiation skills of your personal injury lawyer also play a part in determining how much you receive. There’s no set settlement amount for car accident injuries. It’s up to your lawyer to protect you from false accusations and work to get the most possible out of your injury claim.
These and other factors should be considered when determining the size of your settlement check:
- Support for all hospital bills you have now and those that will arise in the future.
- Support for the physical pain you’ve endured in the accident and in a difficult recovery.
- Support for the emotional trauma suffered as you’ve dealt with anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms from the crash.
- Support for car repairs or replacement.
- Support for the time you are forced to be out of work while healing.
- Wrongful death benefits. Support is earned for families who lose a loved one in an accident caused by a celebrity driver.
These and other damages you’ve suffered must all be submitted to a car insurance company so that the costs don’t end up coming out of your pocket.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer After an Accident Involving a Celebrity
If you or a family member are the victims of a celebrity driver’s bad decisions on the road, please talk to an experienced California Car Accident Lawyer. Maison Law offers an absolutely free consultation to all California car accident victims. Contact us today to schedule a time to speak with a real California attorney about your case.
It’s a chance to determine what your injuries are worth and how to hold a powerful celebrity fully accountable for what happened. There’s no obligation, but If you feel we can help you earn more with your injury claim, don’t worry about how you’ll pay us. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then, our fee comes out of the settlement money you are awarded.
