Celebrities Who Survived Serious Car Crashes
Road accidents have changed the lives of many stars in an instant. Some were hit by trucks on busy highways. Others lost control on canyon roads or were struck at intersections. In each case, emergency crews, hospitals, and long recoveries followed, along with investigations that documented what happened and why.
These survivors returned to work after surgeries, rehab, or months of healing. Their cases often involved police reports, insurance claims, and in several instances civil lawsuits that were later settled. Here are fifteen well known names who lived through serious car crashes and what the records say about the timelines, injuries, and outcomes.
Tracy Morgan
In June 2014 a Walmart tractor trailer struck a limousine bus carrying Tracy Morgan on the New Jersey Turnpike near Cranbury. Comedian James McNair died in the collision and several passengers were hurt. Morgan sustained a traumatic brain injury along with fractures and was airlifted for emergency care. The National Transportation Safety Board cited driver fatigue as a factor.
Morgan spent weeks in rehabilitation to regain speech and movement. He filed a civil suit that was resolved with a confidential settlement the following year. He returned to stand up and television afterward and also spoke publicly about long term rehab needs for brain injury patients.
Gloria Estefan
During a March 1990 tour stop in Pennsylvania a tractor trailer hit Gloria Estefan’s band bus in snowy conditions. She suffered a broken vertebra and underwent surgery to stabilize her spine with metal hardware. The crash shut down parts of the interstate and required coordinated emergency response to move multiple patients to area hospitals.
Her recovery included months of physical therapy to rebuild strength and mobility. She resumed performing the following year with new choreography adapted for her back and discussed the importance of seat belts on tour buses during later interviews and public appearances.
Kanye West
In October 2002 Kanye West was involved in a head on crash in Los Angeles after leaving a recording studio. He sustained a fractured jaw that required his mouth to be wired shut during recovery. Police documented the collision and emergency surgeons performed procedures to stabilize bone fragments and protect his airway.
West returned to the studio within weeks and recorded vocals while still recovering. The incident became part of his early career narrative and he described the medical timeline surrounding reconstructive work and the follow up care that allowed him to resume performing.
Tiger Woods
On February 23, 2021 Tiger Woods crashed a Genesis GV80 on a downhill stretch in Rancho Palos Verdes. Investigators reported excessive speed for the road conditions and noted there was no evidence of impairment. Woods suffered open fractures to the tibia and fibula and underwent emergency surgery to insert a rod, screws, and pins.
He spent months in rehabilitation to restore weight bearing and range of motion. Authorities later said no citations would be issued after reviewing data from the vehicle and scene measurements. Woods returned to limited competition in the months that followed with mobility adjustments and walking limits.
Kevin Hart
On September 1, 2019 a vintage Plymouth Barracuda carrying Kevin Hart crashed on Mulholland Highway in the Malibu hills. The driver lost control on a steep section and the car left the roadway. Hart sustained significant back injuries and underwent spinal surgery shortly after the crash.
He completed an extended course of physical therapy focused on core stability and gradual load progression. The California Highway Patrol examined the vehicle and conditions and the case prompted renewed discussion of retrofitting older cars with modern restraints where feasible.
Morgan Freeman
In August 2008 Morgan Freeman’s car left a rural Mississippi highway, rolled, and came to rest in a ditch. He broke his arm and elbow and required surgical repair at a Memphis hospital. A passenger was also injured and later brought a civil claim that was settled.
Freeman recovered movement in the affected arm through therapy and modified certain activities for a period of time. Local authorities documented road conditions and rescue timelines, and the event led to updates on nighttime rural driving hazards in regional safety messaging.
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson crashed his McLaren F1 on a road near Peterborough in August 2011. The car hit a tree and a lamppost and caught fire. He exited the vehicle before it was engulfed and was treated for a shoulder injury at a nearby hospital. Fire crews contained the blaze and police closed the road for investigation and cleanup.
The F1 later underwent one of the most expensive automotive repairs on record through an insurer supported restoration. Atkinson discussed the incident in media appearances and continued to drive high performance cars while emphasizing training and track time for handling practice.
Stevie Wonder
On August 6, 1973 Stevie Wonder was a passenger in a sedan that struck the rear of a logging truck near Salisbury, North Carolina. He suffered head trauma and was in a coma for several days. Doctors monitored swelling and he gradually regained consciousness with hospital based therapy afterward.
He returned to recording later that year after completing evaluations and follow up care. The crash became a point of reference in road safety conversations about visibility of slow moving trucks and the placement of warning signage on rural highways.
Niki Taylor
In April 2001 model Niki Taylor was a passenger in a car that hit a utility pole near Atlanta. She suffered severe internal injuries including a lacerated liver and a collapsed lung. She was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent multiple surgeries over several weeks.
Her rehabilitation involved respiratory therapy, wound care, and progressive mobility work. Taylor later spoke about the role of blood donation in her survival, and nonprofit groups used her case in campaigns encouraging donors to maintain consistent supply for trauma centers.
Matthew Broderick
Matthew Broderick survived a head on collision in Northern Ireland in August 1987 while driving a rented car with a passenger. Two occupants of the other vehicle died. Broderick suffered fractures and a collapsed lung and spent time in a local hospital before being transferred. Authorities initially filed charges that were later reduced and resolved with a fine for careless driving.
He completed medical recovery with follow up imaging and breathing therapy. The crash remained a subject of public record and press coverage for years and is often cited in discussions of driving on unfamiliar road networks where traffic flows on the opposite side.
Venus Williams
On June 9, 2017 Venus Williams was involved in a crash at a Palm Beach Gardens intersection. A passenger in another car later died from injuries. Initial police statements suggested she caused the crash, but traffic camera footage and a subsequent report concluded she lawfully entered the intersection and was not at fault.
The family filed a civil suit that was resolved after the new evidence was reviewed. Williams continued her tennis schedule and addressed the crash only through legal filings and brief statements while the case was active, in line with guidance from counsel.
Caitlyn Jenner
In February 2015 Caitlyn Jenner’s SUV was involved in a chain reaction crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. One driver died and several people were injured. Investigators examined phone records, speed estimates, and impact points over several months. The district attorney declined to file criminal charges.
Jenner faced multiple civil suits that were later settled. The incident prompted discussion of traffic flow and hazard mitigation along that stretch of highway, including signage, speed enforcement, and lane design during heavy weekend traffic.
Jason Momoa
On June 26, 2022 Jason Momoa’s car collided with an oncoming motorcycle on Old Topanga Canyon Road near Calabasas. The motorcyclist sustained injuries and was transported for treatment. Momoa’s windshield shattered, and he remained at the scene to speak with deputies as paramedics worked.
The road was temporarily closed while investigators documented skid marks, debris, and final rest positions. Reports noted that Momoa cooperated fully and that impairment was not suspected. He returned to production commitments after vehicle repairs and insurance processing.
Eric Roberts
Actor Eric Roberts was critically injured in a car crash in 1981 and spent several days in a coma. He sustained facial fractures and other trauma that required reconstructive procedures and extended recovery. Family members and colleagues coordinated care and supported him through inpatient treatment.
Roberts gradually returned to acting after speech therapy and functional rehabilitation. He has since described the long term effects of traumatic brain injury in interviews and used his experience to explain why follow up care is important even after patients leave the hospital.
Mark Hamill
In early 1977 Mark Hamill crashed his car on a Southern California freeway and suffered fractures to his nose and cheekbone. Surgeons performed procedures to repair facial injuries and reduce swelling. Production schedules around him were adjusted during his hospitalization and initial recovery.
Hamill completed additional treatments in the months that followed and returned to work for later projects. The crash has been referenced in fan discussions about scene planning, though official materials note that the filming process already included stunt work and makeup solutions for continuity.
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