North Carolina Nascar fans might be interested in learning that Tony Stewart has reportedly reached a settlement with the family of Kevin Ward in the wrongful death lawsuit that was filed against him. The lawsuit was filed because of an August 2014 dirt-track race accident in which Ward was killed.
Stewart and Ward were reportedly driving their cars during the race’s caution period when Stewart bumped Ward’s vehicle. The collision caused Ward to lose control and crash into the wall. Ward then got out of his vehicle and was walking back towards Stewart’s vehicle when Stewart struck and killed him.
The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Stewart because they alleged that he was driving recklessly during the caution period of the race. Stewart was not charged in the accident, and Ward had signed a waiver. However, the court ruled that waivers are not enforceable in New York, which is where the race and accident occurred. Stewart also argued that Ward had a high concentration of marijuana in his system that would have impaired him. Despite the arguments, Stewart apparently reached a settlement with Ward’s family.
When fatal accidents are caused by the carelessness or negligence of drivers, the families of the victims may be able to hold the drivers accountable by filing wrongful death civil lawsuits against them. Wrongful death lawsuits may allow the families to recover compensation for the losses that they have incurred as a result of their loved ones’ deaths. Experienced personal injury lawyers may analyze what happened and offer honest advice about whether there are grounds to file lawsuits.
Source: USA Today, “Tony Stewart reaches settlement with Kevin Ward Jr.’s family in wrongful death lawsuit“, A.J. Perez, April 3, 2018