Reference no: EM1333218

Will E. Chancit, a 36-year-old attorney, was killed when his Ford Fairlane collided with some metal fence on the Harbor Freeway in Los Angeles. He was traveling at a speed between 50 and 70 mph. What happened was this: A city of Los Angeles construction crew had placed a "left lane closed ahead" sign with a "60 mph" speed limit sign under it. (The usual speed limit in that area was 70 mph.) However, the actual closed lane was the right lane. Speculation is that Will noticed at the last minute that he was in the wrong lane and over corrected, and that's how he slid off the road and hit the fence.

After the collision, the car spun and the driver's door flew open. Chancit was ejected from the car and sustained fatal head injuries. Had the door stayed closed, his injuries would have been relatively minor. Chancit was not wearing his seat belt, and his wife claims he had been up all night the night before after getting food poisoning at the local Chi-Chi's.

1) Discuss the negligence or other theory for recovery in the suit Chancit's widow has brought against Ford Motor Company, the makers of the Ford Fairlane.

2) Discuss all defenses Ford Motor Company might have.