# 10 Worst Celebrity Car Accident | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Celebrity Car Accidents Involving Impaired Driving 2. Celebrity Car Accidents Involving Speeding 3. Celebrity Car Wrecks Involving Distracted Driving 4. Celebrity Accidents Due to Riding Without a Helmet 5. What Can We Learn from History? 6. Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Despite a drop in travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, over [38,000 people](https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/2020-fatality-data-show-increased-traffic-fatalities-during-pandemic) died in car crashes in 2020. This reversed a recent trend of [car accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/) decreasing [annually](https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/fatality-statistics/detail/yearly-snapshot/). Celebrities get into car accidents just like everyone else. Unsurprisingly, the causes of these car accidents mirror the most common car accident causes for the average person. Here are ten of the worst celebrity car accidents and the lessons you can learn from them. ## Celebrity Car Accidents Involving Impaired Driving Impaired driving causes [over 25%](https://www.cdc.gov/impaired-driving/facts/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html) of all fatal car accidents in the U.S. Alcohol and drugs can significantly interfere with your reflexes and decision-making abilities, quadrupling your risk of causing a car crash. Some celebrities involved in alcohol- or drug-related fatal car crashes include: ### Princess Diana Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris when her driver hit a pillar inside a tunnel at high speed. French officials blamed the driver, whose blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. He also had traces of antidepressants in his blood. ### Jackson Pollock Pollock was one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. He died in a single-car crash when his car hit a tree. He had been drinking gin for several hours before the crash. ### Billy Martin Billy Martin was a baseball player and manager. He was most famous for his time with the New York Yankees. He died in a single-car crash on a steep, winding driveway after leaving a bar. Both Martin and his companion were drunk at the time of the crash. ### Sam Kinison Sam Kinison, one of the most famous comedians from the 1980s, died in an alcohol-related car crash in 1992. Kinison struggled with drugs and alcohol but was sober at the time of his accident. His vehicle was hit head-on by a car driven by an underage drunk driver. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Celebrity Car Accidents Involving Speeding Speeding is one of the most common — and most dangerous — driver behaviors. Speeding plays a role in about [the same percentage](https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding) of traffic fatalities as drugs and alcohol. Some celebrity car crashes that resulted from speeding include: ### James Dean Arguably one of the most famous Americans to die in a car crash, Dean loved fast cars. He died in a two-vehicle car crash on his way to a racetrack where he was scheduled to race. Although witnesses disagreed on how fast Dean was driving when he hit the other car, he had received a speeding ticket just a few hours before his death. ### Paul Walker Walker found stardom in the *Fast and Furious* movie franchise. He died in a speed-related crash while driving a Porsche that he had allegedly modified to use racing fuel. According to investigators, Walker’s car was going about 94 miles per hour when it hit a lamppost. ### Ryan Dunn Dunn was a reality TV star and stunt performer. He died in a single-vehicle crash where he missed a turn near a ravine going nearly 100 miles per hour. His car jumped the guardrail and flew into the ravine, where it hit a tree. ## Celebrity Car Wrecks Involving Distracted Driving Distracted driving plays a role in about 10% of fatal car accidents. Distractions can come from both inside and outside the vehicle.  Two celebrities who died in distracted driving accidents include: ### Ernie Kovaks Ernie Kovacs was one of the most famous TV and radio personalities in the 1950s. He died in a single-vehicle car crash in 1962. Circumstantial evidence suggests he was either lighting a cigar or reaching for a cigar when he crashed. ### Jayne Mansfield Famous actress Jayne Mansfield died in a [truck accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/truck-accident-lawyer/) in 1967. Her car crashed into the back of a semi-truck trailer due to a dense fog caused by weather and a mosquito-fogging machine. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Celebrity Accidents Due to Riding Without a Helmet Motorcycle helmets [reduce the risk of death](https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/motorcycles/) in a [motorcycle accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/motorcycle-accident-lawyer/) by as much as 42%. They also reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury. ### T.E. Lawrence The real Lawrence of Arabia died in a motorcycle accident in 1935. He was riding his motorcycle without a helmet while trying to avoid hitting two children on the road. Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## What Can We Learn from History? These terrible crashes robbed the world of great talent. But they can also serve to raise public awareness and guide drivers to adopt safer driving behaviors. At a minimum, drivers should avoid distractions, speeding, and intoxicating substances while driving. Motorcycle riders should wear helmets while riding. ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help For more information, [contact](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/contact-us/) the [Houston](https://www.houstontx.gov/) car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling  [(713) 500-5000.](tel:+17135005000)  Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069)   Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![Pros and Cons of Uninsured Motorist Coverage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pros-and-Cons-of-Uninsured-Motorist-Coverage-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-uninsured-motorist-coverage/) [Pros and Cons of Uninsured Motorist Coverage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-uninsured-motorist-coverage/) Uninsured motorist insurance (UM) is one of the most popular optional forms of car accident insurance, and for [![What You Should Know About Geico Insurance Claims in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/What-You-Should-Know-About-Geico-Insurance-Claims-in-Houston-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-you-should-know-about-geico-insurance-claims-in-houston/) [What You Should Know About GEICO Insurance Claims in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-you-should-know-about-geico-insurance-claims-in-houston/) GEICO Insurance Company is Texas's third largest insurer for passenger automobile insurance policies. Therefore, if [![Commonly Forgotten Driving Laws in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Commonly-Forgotten-Driving-Laws-in-Texas-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/commonly-forgotten-driving-laws-in-texas/) [Commonly Forgotten Driving Laws in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/commonly-forgotten-driving-laws-in-texas/) Most people count on their driver’s licenses for long-distance travel and short daily commutes. However, it is [![Common Back Injuries After a Car Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Common-Back-Injuries-After-a-Car-Accident-300x169.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/common-back-injuries-after-a-car-accident/) [Common Back Injuries After a Car Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/common-back-injuries-after-a-car-accident/) Back pain after a car accident is common. The pressure placed on the back and spinal column during a collision can --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/10-worst-celebrity-car-accidents/