The very old common law precedent is that if you're benefiting from a practice that accidentally causes someone else harm, you're liable for any damages regardl

The very old common law precedent is that if you're benefiting from a practice that accidentally causes someone else harm, you're liable for any damages regardless of whether or not there's any negligence. For example, blasting at mines on occasion resulted in people many miles away getting hit with high speed pebbles that hurt them. The miners are liable for damages even if they took careful measures to reduce risk. There is zero reason to alter this concept for cars, trucks, or trains. If you want to speed around in two tons of steel because that's easier for you, then you should be fully liable for any consequences that flow from speeding around in two tons of steel. Trying to walk across the street is not an activity that creates the risk in the first place.