Liability questions and protocol

jimbauman · 07-27-2009, 04:53 PM

We all sign those waivers that to a small degree protect the track and staff from legal action in the event of a serious accident or injury. But what about collisions between drivers that result in serious car damage, bodily injury, or even death?

How have the drivers fared legally when involved in a serious accident? Does one driver typically "go after" another for car damages, medical bills, or punitive damages? Any horror stories out there?

Just curious....

JB

Tom W · Tom W's Garage

Jim: You getting worried because you are actually going to get back out at the track? (Your evil twin returning too? Will I see you at TH this weekend?)

I've never heard of another driver suing after an accident in any of our events in NorCal.

jimbauman · 07-27-2009, 06:09 PM

Ha! No, evil twin brought this topic up because we got another car to do some real racing with.... where contact is inevitable... so HE says! The whole topic of liability came up after beer #3.

Won't be out again for a little while.... engine is out for a little R&R while it's too damn hot to run. It was 110 out there today!

JB

Tom W · Tom W's Garage

Wimp. Why do you think cool suits and AC for trailers were invented? Rather than dwell on a few minor inconveniences, you need to focus on the positives: the warmer temps make it so much easier to get your tires up to temperature, the beer tastes better at the end of the day, etc.

WestonP22 · 08:54 PM

I've never heard of drivers suing each other. If you're out there with a club, ask what their insurance covers. Many of them will take care of any medical bills if someone gets hurt. As for damage to cars, I always enter the track ready to ball up my car and walk away, even if it's no fault of my own... that's the risk that we all take when we go out there. Sometimes racers work it out amongst themselves, sometimes not. You have to remember that although it would suck to have someone wreck into your car, you're also out there deliberately risking your car's well being. Some of the worst wrecks are single car incidents, due to either driver error or mechanical failure. And when another car is involved, it's very rare that one side is clearly 100% at fault... Even if it is ruled by the club to be primarily the other guy's fault, there are usually things that both sides could have done better.

175K911 · 07-28-2009, 08:30 AM

Purchase track insurance for your car. HPDE Insurance (Lockton Inusrance) now has a discount for PCA members at PCA events. I purchase their coverage for every event I run, except MidOhio where track insurance can't be offered because of the state's stupid laws. Coverage is available for almost any DE-type event and covers car to car contact as well as car to armco damage. Prices are reasonable depending on your car and the amount of coverage you want. I insure my modded '86 911 for $25K and it generally costs just $148 per track weekend regardless of whether it's PCA, Audi Club, Lotus Club etc.

Friend was hurt in a racing incident at an SCCA event at the Glen a few years back. The SCCA insurance policy covered his medical bills immediately until he was able to get things sorted out with his own health coverage.