Chester “Chet” Hanks, the 25-year-old son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, reportedly rear-ended another motorist earlier this year. The alleged victim of that crash is now suing Hanks and Wilson, claiming that they are liable for the accident and the resulting injuries because they allowed their son to use their car that day.
According to court documents associated with this case, the plaintiff is alleging that Chet Hanks caused the February 2015 auto crash while he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Specifically, the complaint explains that:
Despite knowing that Chester Hanks was a careless and reckless driver and a habitual user of drugs and alcohol, [Hanks and Wilson] negligently permitted Chester Hanks to operate their vehicle.
Crash Details and Allegations
The following highlights some of the latest details associated with this case:
- Police did not respond to the accident, and it doesn’t appear that the involved motorists called police to report the crash.
- Chet Hanks has not been charged with DUI or reckless driving.
- According to some media sources, the plaintiff allegedly suffered whiplash and brain injury as a result of the accident.
- Chet Hanks has reportedly spent time in rehab for addiction issues and has been publicly vocal about his struggles with drugs and alcohol.
- On March 29, Chester M. Hanks reportedly tweeted: “We exchanged information [after the accident] and that was that, now over a year later he comes forward with these accusations (guess he saw an opportunity)”
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured in a Rear-End Car Accident
It remains to be seen how this case will fare and whether Hanks and Wilson will try to settle it before trial. When more details about this case become available, we’ll report the latest news to you here. In the meantime, here’s what we can generally tell you to do if you are every hurt in a rear-end car accident:
- See a doctor right away – Any delays in medical treatment could cause further injuries, and they may be used as leverage by an insurance company and/or defendant to try to allege that the injuries were caused by some other event (or that they weren’t that bad – because you would’ve seen a doctor sooner if they had been).
- Don’t accept an insurance adjuster’s first offer if they try and settle immediately following your accident. Talk to an attorney before making any decisions on these offers to find out if the offer is adequate.
- Keep your medical bills, diagnostic test results and other related documents so you have evidence of the nature of your crash-related injuries (as well as the associated expenses). Specifically, some of these documents may include items like (but not limited to):
- Emergency room admission forms and bills
- Medical charts
- Diagnostic and imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and blood tests
- Prescription receipts
- Doctor’s notes.
Contact Kingston Car Accident Lawyer Charles N. Rock
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a rear-end collision or any type of traffic crash, contact Kingston Car Accident Lawyer Charles N. Rock by calling (845) 383-1170 or by emailing our firm using the contact form on this page.
To ensure that you have the legal support you need now, Attorney Charles N. Rock can meet you at your home or a hospital when needed.