In places like California and Florida, people like to stay fit, enjoy the outdoors, and challenge nature by going surfing. But since there are no (natural) beaches in Las Vegas, some teens or young adults get the misguided notion of trying to replicate the experience using a car, another driver, and a parking lot or residential street.
Three words: Darwin Awards nominees.
Yes, car surfing is not a new phenomenon. It’s been over a quarter century since Michael J. Fox did it in the movie Teen Wolf, and the pastime was featured on an episode of Fox TV’s Bones last year. But in this case, you shouldn’t equate longevity with wisdom. Because it’s incredibly easy for a car surfer to get seriously hurt or even killed – even when those involved are trying to be careful.
Car surfing accidents are rare, but they do happen. A 20-year old man died in North Las Vegas after falling off a Ford Bronco in April of 2011. Reports say the SUV was moving at just 15 miles per hour when the deadly accident occurred.
But as horrifying as a car surfing session gone wrong can be, this cloud has an even darker lining. In Nevada, the person driving the vehicle at the time of the car surfing incident is held responsible if the victim falls and gets injured or killed. In other words, if you’re driving your car-surfing buddy around and he just loses his balance, you’re the one who can be blamed for his injuries. That means you can be named as a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit – or worse, the victim’s surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against you. So in addition to the crushing guilt that will overwhelm you, your finances could be drained as well.
Therefore, it’s wise to heed the wisdom imparted to you by your parents: wash your hands after going to the bathroom, eat all your vegetables, and never stand on top of a freakin’ moving car..
Contact Naqvi Injury Law for more information.