‘American Idol’ Runner-Up Dies in Car Crash

23-year-old former finalist Willie Spence died in a car crash in Tennessee, when his 2019 Jeep Cherokee collided with a semi-truck.

According to witnesses, a large truck was parked on the right shoulder. “And that car switched lanes from the left all the way to that shoulder and slapped in the back of that truck,” one witness said. Furthermore, “the front half of the car is completely under the trailer,” another witness added. Emergency responders rushed Spence to a local hospital, where he was pronounced DOA.

In a statement, American Idol’s producers said “We are devastated about the passing of our beloved American Idol family member, Willie Spence. He was a true talent who lit up every room he entered and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his loved ones.”

Fault vs. Liability

According to insurance adjusters, rear-end drivers are always responsible for rear-end wrecks. But an insurance adjuster is not a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. Only an attorney can determine the difference between fault, which is based solely on some of the facts, and liability, which is based on all the facts, as well as the law.

These legal doctrines include the duty of care, which requires motorists to avoid accidents if possible. This legal obligation begins when drivers slide behind the wheels of their vehicles. It only ends when their trips end.

If a vehicle becomes disabled, which was apparently the case in the above story, the duty of care continues. That’s especially true if the motorist is a commercial operator who drives an 80,000-plus pound semi-truck. These drivers cannot simply pull over and wait for AAA to arrive. They must continue to avoid accidents, usually by deploying traffic cones, putting up extra lights or reflectors, and otherwise alerting their fellow motorists about the potential danger.

On a similar note, the shoulder might be a convenient place to pull over if a vehicle becomes disabled. However, it’s not a safe place. If at all possible, these drivers should at least pull off the road altogether. The duty of care requires no less.

So, if you or a loved one was hurt or killed in a wreck, always ask an attorney to evaluate your claim, no matter what an insurance adjuster or other investigator concludes.

Remedies Available in Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death survivors generally need a sense of closure and financial compensation. A Los Angeles personal injury attorney can obtain both.

Usually, car crash settlements don’t include liability admissions. However, we’re all smart enough to read between the lines. An insurance company wouldn’t pay to settle a claim unless the company was liable.

In the wake of a wrongful death, financial compensation is usually the last thin survivors think about. However, survivors need money to pay final expenses and other unexpected bills. Additionally, compensation helps survivors move on with their lives. That’s the best possible outcome at this point.

Vehicle collisions usually cause serious injuries. For a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, contact Sharona Hakim, Esq. at the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim. Lawyers can connect victims with doctors, even if they have no money or insurance.