Notices
Racing & Drivers Education Forum
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

A warning for DE Instructors

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-11-2009, 03:34 PM
  #16  
ricster
Banned
 
ricster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

The failure to assume responsibility in this society is nauseating. And it's only getting worse

I think this country is becoming "pu$$yfied. Welcome to the "feminization" of America
Old 08-11-2009, 03:45 PM
  #17  
Veloce Raptor
Rennlist Member
 
Veloce Raptor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Guess...
Posts: 41,760
Received 1,548 Likes on 818 Posts
Default

..
Old 08-12-2009, 03:11 PM
  #18  
jaje
Three Wheelin'
 
jaje's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My main gripe is the number of extremely powerful and fast cars being driven by absolute novices or even worse the "world's most talented street driver". I grew up driving light, low HP cars and I feel I'm the better for it b/c I had to learn to drive everywhere fast on the track (not babysit corners and drag race the straights). I also was penalized in a low hp car where all mistakes were amplified.

I now still drive a 90 hp Civic, a 150hp 944 Spec car and love every minute of it. I'm not fast but I'm having more fun with a lot less stress. I get very, very nervous when I get in the car with a student and they have easily 300hp + - often a 911 - which can bite back very quickly. But mainly with HP as it potentially gets students into so much trouble so much sooner. I'm of the smooth is fast school - of staying slow to build up speed gradually.

To the OP - thanks for the info. I need to check up on this before I instruct for our local events. I'm hoping the PCA has this blanket coverage for all instructors at all DEs.
Old 08-12-2009, 03:35 PM
  #19  
jbossolo
Drifting
 
jbossolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: The great Republic of Texas
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

The failure to assume responsibility in this society is nauseating. And it's only getting worse
And this surprises you? It's been going on for years!!!
Ever heard of the term "Stella awards". It's named after an 79 year-old lady who bought a hot coffee from McDonalds back in 1992, then proceeded to spill it on her lap, burning her ***. Nobody pushed her, she did this to herself in a parked car. A sympathetic jury awarded her $2.9 Million in damages (later reduced to "only" $640K), plus an undisclosed amount from McDonalds as a settlement agreement so she would not go into any appeals process.
Beauty.

Other examples:
http://www.stellaawards.com/2007.html
http://www.stellaawards.com/sample.html

This society is going down the drain. Fast.
Old 08-12-2009, 04:28 PM
  #20  
STLPCA
Addict & Guru
Rennlist Member

Thread Starter
 
STLPCA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 3,897
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jaje
To the OP - thanks for the info. I need to check up on this before I instruct for our local events. I'm hoping the PCA has this blanket coverage for all instructors at all DEs.
From my PCA inquiries, assuming the sponsoring PCA Region has obtained the required coverage under PCA's Motorsports Liability program, its DE Instructors are covered for negligence claims for personal injury and/or property damage up to $10,000,000. Apparently (as posted above) BMWCCA and ACNA have similar programs.

My concern now that my own insurer won't cover me is for non-PCA/non-covered DEs. It's not something I thought about before, but as others have posted, it doesn't seem to take much to be at the receiving end of a merited or meritless claim.
Old 08-12-2009, 05:16 PM
  #21  
DaveM993
Drifting
 
DaveM993's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ..."RECALCULATING"
Posts: 3,496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would assume PCA takes on the legal defense costs for the instructor in order to minimize PCA's financial exposure?
Old 08-12-2009, 05:45 PM
  #22  
gbaker
Three Wheelin'
 
gbaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Orlando, FL USA
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Instructors' feedback on my driving skills has resulted in mental anguish. I'd sue, but then said skills would become public record.
Old 08-12-2009, 05:48 PM
  #23  
dave morris
Rennlist Member
 
dave morris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,756
Received 22 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by STLPCA

I know of 2 unpublicized instances of claims against instructors. One resulted in a $25,000 insured settlement to a (participant) passenger. I don't know the final disposition of the other (also insured).
More detail would be helpful. What were the circumstances that resulted in the $25000 settlement? What organization ran the event? When did the event take place? Where?
Old 08-12-2009, 06:30 PM
  #24  
STLPCA
Addict & Guru
Rennlist Member

Thread Starter
 
STLPCA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 3,897
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by dave morris
More detail would be helpful. What were the circumstances that resulted in the $25000 settlement? What organization ran the event? When did the event take place? Where?
PM sent.
Old 08-12-2009, 06:38 PM
  #25  
DarkSideDE
Pro
 
DarkSideDE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bluffton, SC
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jbossolo
And this surprises you? It's been going on for years!!!
Ever heard of the term "Stella awards". It's named after an 79 year-old lady who bought a hot coffee from McDonalds back in 1992, then proceeded to spill it on her lap, burning her ***. Nobody pushed her, she did this to herself in a parked car. A sympathetic jury awarded her $2.9 Million in damages (later reduced to "only" $640K), plus an undisclosed amount from McDonalds as a settlement agreement so she would not go into any appeals process.
Beauty.

Other examples:
http://www.stellaawards.com/2007.html
http://www.stellaawards.com/sample.html

This society is going down the drain. Fast.
I am just curious - if you got caught up in the media frenzy on this or you actually followed the case to know what was going on?

Were you aware that "Stella" had burnt herself several times before at that same McDonald's. Are you aware that she had given them warning (both verbal and in writing) that they had the coffee hotter than the legal temperature allowed to serve coffee? Were you aware that she was assured many times, including from the manager, they would take care of the problem and lower the temperature of the coffee served?

There are always two sides my friend to each story. Please learn the other side before citing... Some of us are glad that the "Stellas of the world" have spoken up on our behalf.

Now if you are looking for the perfect example of passing the buck, not taking responsiblity or how fast society has gone downhill - what comes to my mind was about 1987 when New York State decided if someone leaving a bar, who has been served alcohol, drives and gets into an accident -- it's the bartender's fault. Unreal!
Old 08-12-2009, 06:51 PM
  #26  
deep_uv
RIP
 
deep_uv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by DarkSideDE
Were you aware that "Stella" had burnt herself several times before at that same McDonald's.
That makes her even more stupid than I originally thought.
Old 08-12-2009, 07:02 PM
  #27  
DarkSideDE
Pro
 
DarkSideDE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bluffton, SC
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by deep_uv
That makes her even more stupid than I originally thought.
Good one! lol
Old 08-12-2009, 07:27 PM
  #28  
Brian P
Rennlist Member
 
Brian P's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

FYI: http://www.stellaawards.com/stella.html has more details about her story. It wasn't as a frivolous case as the press made it out to be.
Old 08-13-2009, 12:22 AM
  #29  
993inNC
Race Car
 
993inNC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 4,883
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

just one thing...........you got me covered Jackie?
Old 08-13-2009, 08:22 AM
  #30  
DarkSideDE
Pro
 
DarkSideDE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bluffton, SC
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Edited.

The organizers are listed on the track insurance. Chris - that means you too.

Last edited by DarkSideDE; 08-13-2009 at 09:33 AM.


Quick Reply: A warning for DE Instructors



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 11:26 PM.