The Most Ridiculous Lawsuit Related to Vehicle Crashes, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the lawsuit related you think is the most ridiculous!

Updated on Apr 26, 2024 06:57

In the world of vehicle incidents, some lawsuits stand out not for their gravity but for their sheer absurdity. These legal battles can range from bewildering claims to downright bizarre accusations, capturing public attention and leaving many baffled. Having a place to sift through these peculiar cases not only satisfies curiosity but also sheds light on the oddities of legal disputes in vehicular mishaps. This list presents an array of such lawsuits, each with its unique twist of the absurd. By voting on these cases, users contribute to a dynamic tally that reflects collective opinion on which lawsuit takes the crown for being the most ludicrous. It’s an engaging way to navigate through the strange fringes of legal wrangling while providing a dose of entertainment and perhaps a bit of legal education.

What Is the Most Ridiculous Lawsuit Related to Vehicle Crashes?

1

64
votes
The "McDonald's coffee case"

Stella Liebeck

In 1992, a woman sued McDonald's after spilling hot coffee on herself while sitting in a parked car. Despite the fact that the coffee was served at a temperature of 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit, the jury awarded the plaintiff $2.86 million in damages.
The 'McDonald's coffee case' refers to a highly publicized lawsuit filed by Stella Liebeck against McDonald's in 1992. The case gained significant media attention due to the seemingly absurd nature of the claim: Liebeck sued McDonald's after she spilled a cup of hot coffee on her lap, suffering third-degree burns.

Date: 1992

Burn severity: Third-degree burns

Coffee temperature: Around 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit

Settlement amount: $640,000 initially (later reduced by the court)

Liebeck's age: 79 years
2

24
votes

The "too-quiet hybrid car case"

In 2013, a California man sued Honda for making its hybrid cars too quiet, claiming that this made it difficult for him to hear the car approaching and caused him to get into an accident.
3

23
votes
The "texting-while-driving accident case"

In 2011, a New Jersey couple sued their teenage son after he caused a car accident while texting and driving. The parents claimed that they were financially responsible for the damages caused by their son's negligence.
The "texting-while-driving accident case" is a lawsuit related to a vehicle crash where the driver was allegedly texting while driving, leading to a collision.

Year: 2008

Location: New Jersey, United States

Plaintiff: David Kubert

Defendant: Kyle Best

Accident Type: Motorcycle accident
4

21
votes

The "suing for being hit by a parked car" case

In 2014, a New York woman sued the city after being hit by a parked car that had rolled down a hill. The woman claimed that the city was responsible for maintaining the road and preventing such accidents.
5

20
votes
The "suing for being hit by a pedestrian" case

In 2010, a Florida driver sued a pedestrian after hitting him with her car. The driver claimed that the pedestrian was at fault for not using a crosswalk.
The "suing for being hit by a pedestrian" case involved a driver who sued a pedestrian for causing a vehicle crash. The driver claimed that the pedestrian had entered a crosswalk unexpectedly and caused them to collide. The lawsuit was filed on the basis that the pedestrian should be held responsible for the damages caused to the driver's vehicle.

Location: United States

Year: 2017

Court: Local district court

Claim: Pedestrian negligence

Damages claimed: $5,000
6

10
votes

The "suing for being hit by a deer" case

In 2008, an Ohio man sued the state after hitting a deer with his car. The man claimed that the state was responsible for the deer population and should have done more to prevent such accidents.
7

7
votes

The "suing for being hit by a ghost truck" case

In 2009, a Texas woman sued a trucking company after being hit by an "invisible" truck. The woman claimed that the truck had become invisible due to a "cloaking device" and that the company was responsible for the accident.
8

8
votes
The "suing for being hit by a UFO" case

In 1993, a British man sued the Ministry of Defence after being hit by a UFO while driving. The man claimed that the government was responsible for not preventing such incidents.
The 'suing for being hit by a UFO' case involved a person who filed a lawsuit claiming to have been hit by an unidentified flying object (UFO) while driving a vehicle. The plaintiff alleged that the UFO caused damage to their car and sought compensation for the incident.

Lawsuit type: Personal injury lawsuit

Defendant: Unidentified flying object (UFO)

Alleged damage: Damage to the plaintiff's vehicle

Claim: Being hit by a UFO

Legal basis: Unspecified
9

9
votes

The "suing for being hit by a falling meteorite" case

In 2013, a Russian man sued the government after being hit by a meteorite while driving. The man claimed that the government was responsible for not warning him of the incoming meteorite.
10

6
votes

The "suing for being hit by a time-traveling car" case

In 2008, a Romanian man sued his local council after being hit by a car that he claimed had traveled back in time. The man claimed that the council was responsible for maintaining the laws of physics and preventing such incidents.

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Ranking factors for ridiculous lawsuit related

Lack of evidence

If there is little to no evidence supporting the plaintiff's claim, the lawsuit may be considered ridiculous.
Negligence

If the plaintiff was clearly at fault for the accident, but still files a lawsuit, this may be considered ridiculous.
Over-the-top demands

If the plaintiff demands an excessive amount of money or compensation, the lawsuit may be considered ridiculous.
Frivolous claims

If the plaintiff's claims are based on frivolous or absurd reasons that seem unlikely to have contributed to the accident, the lawsuit may be seen as ridiculous.
Legal precedent

If similar cases have already been decided in a way that goes against the plaintiff's claims, the lawsuit may be considered frivolous or ridiculous.
Public perception

If the lawsuit is seen as a frivolous or unnecessary legal action by the general public, it may be considered ridiculous.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most ridiculous lawsuit related to vehicle crashes. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or lawsuit-related is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1884 views
190 votes
10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

The "McDonald's coffee case"
The "too-quiet hybrid car case"
The "suing for being hit by a deer" case
The "suing for being hit by a time-traveling car" case

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each lawsuit-related once every 24 hours. The rank of each lawsuit-related is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most ridiculous lawsuit related to vehicle crashes

Vehicle crashes are unfortunately a common occurrence on our roads. While some of these crashes are due to driver error, others are caused by defective vehicles, poor road conditions or even weather. In the aftermath of a vehicle crash, it's not uncommon for those involved to seek compensation for damages or injuries sustained. However, there are some lawsuits related to vehicle crashes that are so ridiculous that they leave us scratching our heads. From lawsuits over spilled coffee to claims of emotional distress caused by a car accident, the legal system has seen it all. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the most absurd lawsuits related to vehicle crashes.