Last July, we posted that Barron Hilton, the brother of Paris Hilton, was ordered to pay $4.9 million to a California man whom he struck and severely injured in a 2008 drunk driving accident. Those of us living in California are used to stories of celebrities behaving badly. In fact, this case shows that some residents are victims of the negligent driving behaviors of celebrities.

Lindsay Lohan is another young celebrity not known for excellent driving habits. She is currently on probation for a 2007 infraction in which she was arrested for driving under the influence twice in rapid succession. Her reputation behind the wheel is continuing to suffer.

She has been linked to two stories involving car accidents last month alone. First, a member of the paparazzi has filed suit in response to a 2010 accident in which he was allegedly struck by a car in which Lohan was a passenger.

Additionally, a woman filed a personal injury lawsuit a short time later, claiming that Lohan's car struck her in 2010. The woman was allegedly walking through an intersection in West Hollywood at the time of impact. The woman's suit asserts that she has suffered "disabling and serious personal injuries, pain, suffering and anguish." She is seeking recovery for lost employment time and medical bills associated with the accident.

While negligent and drunk driving are already socially unacceptable, the public is especially outraged to hear about this behavior when perpetrated by young and wealthy celebrities. And when "too much, too young" results in car accident injuries for unsuspecting pedestrians, it is proper for victims to seek compensation.

Source: USA Today, "Lindsay Lohan faces lawsuit," Jan. 25, 2012