Whether it’s in popular movies, video games, or television shows, street racing has become a popular cultural phenomenon that has inspired some drivers to think they are professional racers. No matter where the inspiration came from, street racing is very dangerous and can have serious consequences — for both the drivers who engage in it as well as any innocent drivers who were unfortunate enough to be on the road at the same time as the reckless drivers.
If you or someone you love has been injured or wrongfully killed in a traffic accident due to illegal street racing, reach out to an experienced Bridgeport reckless driving lawyer. Bert McDowell will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and property damage.
Call us today at (203) 590-9169 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case review so we can get started fighting for you!
Recovery Medically and Financially With a Bridgeport Street Racing Accident Attorney
Though it is often young men between the ages of 15 and 23 who most often choose to participate in these illegal activities, statistics show that people of any age often bear the brunt of these deaths, with about 50% of the deaths occurring in people from ages of 15 – 50.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the leading cause of death for teenagers old enough to drive is traffic accidents, and reported that in 2001, 87% of the deaths of those young people were related to speeding, including in illegal racing activities.
If you or someone you care for has had their life upturned by a street racing accident, you may feel confused and unsure about what your next steps should be. The insurance company of the liable driver may be calling and offering a settlement check, which you may be tempted to accept just so you can put the accident behind you and move on with your life.
Unfortunately, that is rarely a course of action that works out best for you and your family.
The insurance companies know that many people are not regularly in serious car accidents, and they are hoping that you will go along with what they suggest, which may include accepting a low-ball settlement offer from them. They know that once you accept their offer, they are off the hook for any further compensation, even if you later find out that what they offered was not enough to cover your expenses from the accident.
Bert McDowell has experience in working with these greedy insurance companies who care more about their bottom lines than their well-being. He and his firm, Bert McDowell Injury Law, want to protect you from these money-hungry companies.
Bert will fight for you against the insurance companies and their lawyers, giving you the best chance at receiving the compensation you actually need in order to rebuild your life after your accident. In fact, Bert McDowell Injury Law is so sure that they will be able to help you that you will not have to pay them a dime unless they win your case. Reach out today so that we can get started fighting for you.
Common Causes of Street Racing Accidents
Street racing is particularly dangerous and particularly likely to result in serious injuries for a number of reasons.
Reckless Speed
Speeding at any time can be dangerous, but speeding in street racing is usually much more excessive than the daily speeding that most of us encounter. Street racers may be going anywhere from 20 to 60+ miles an hour over the speed limit, which makes these races especially dangerous.
When speeding, it will take vehicles much longer to slow down or stop, and it makes it more difficult to maneuver around any obstructions in the road. Excessive speeding significantly increases the chances of serious traffic collisions because of the greater impact forces involved.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal for a reason, and unfortunately, it is often a factor involved when people decide to engage in street racing. Driving under the influence can slow your reaction time or cause you to make unsafe driving decisions, which, when compounded with driving at excessive speeds, can make the road unsafe for everyone around.
Weather Conditions
Many racers fail to consider how the roads change when the weather does. Rain or other precipitation, like sleet or snow, can change the conditions of the road and cause them to be more slippery than normal.
These changed conditions are dangerous for drivers, especially when driving too fast, and can cause vehicles to skid or hydroplane on the road. Slippery conditions can also make it more difficult to slow down or stop in a timely manner.
Ignoring or Disobeying Traffic Laws
When people are racing, they may choose to disregard common traffic laws that we all trust others to obey, such as stopping at a stop sign or a red light. Racers may value winning over the safety of others and may choose to run stop signs or red lights.
Running red lights, in particular, is especially dangerous, as intersection collisions can affect multiple vehicles.
Anger and Emotions
When a driver is engaged in racing someone, their state of mind may be altered. Those driving may be fueled by anger and road rage, which makes them more likely to make unsafe choices or do whatever they deem necessary in order to win.
Common Injuries From Street Racing Accidents
Since many street racing accidents occur when at least one vehicle is traveling very quickly, injuries tend to be very severe. Human bodies are not made to withstand the force of vehicles traveling so quickly.
Some common injuries from street racing accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) — Traumatic brain injuries can be categorized into two broad categories, both of which can occur from a car accident. Closed injuries occur when there is no break to the skull and no penetrating injuries. These include injuries such as concussions. Penetrating injuries occur when there is a break in the skull, and though less common, can still occur in a wreck.
- Spinal Cord Injuries — Injuries to the spinal cord are common in car accidents. These injuries can range from mild to severe and can even result in paralysis in certain situations. These injuries are sorted into two main categories: complete and incomplete. Complete injuries result in total loss of movement below the injury point. Incomplete injuries may result in some sensation below the point of injury, and victims may eventually regain some or all of their function and feeling.
- Broken Bones — Broken bones regularly occur as a result of being in a car accident. Broken bones can be categorized in four main ways: displaced, non-displaced, open, and closed. Displaced bones are bones that have fractured and are no longer in alignment. Non-displaced breaks occur when the bones break but are still in correct alignment with each other. Open breaks occur when the bone punctures the skin, and the risk of bone infection is high with this type of break. A closed break occurs if the bone breaks but does not puncture the skin. All break types are common injuries as a result of a car accident.
- Burns — Burns can occur as a result of airbags being deployed or being exposed to caustic chemicals during the accident. Cars can occasionally catch fire after an accident, which can lead to burns on the accident victim.
- Internal Bleed and Organ Damage — The force from an accident can cause major damage internally, which can lead to internal bleeding or other organ damage. These injuries tend to be very serious and often need significant medical intervention in order to heal.
- Lacerations and Contusions — Most car accident victims, even if not significantly injured otherwise, walk away with some significant cuts, scrapes, and bruising. Though typically not serious, these injuries should still be checked out by a medical professional.
If you have been involved in a car accident, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you do not believe that you’ve been injured.
Medical professionals have a lot of experience with car accident injuries and will be able to check for injuries that may not have made themselves apparent yet. Additionally, seeing a medical professional will help tie your injuries to the accident.
Without documentation to prove the relationship between the accident and your injuries, the liable party may try to argue that your injuries occurred as the result of another incident and not the accident. In that case, they may not be held liable for your injuries and would not be required to offer you compensation for them.
Contact an experienced car accident attorney if you have any questions about what to do following an accident.
Work With a Compassionate and Dedicated Bridgeport Street Racing Accident Law Firm
If you or someone you love has been injured or wrongfully killed in a street racing accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the liable driver. Serious injuries can upend your life, causing hospital bills to pile up and your ability to work to be greatly affected.
Compensation from your accident can help pay for these things.
Hiring an experienced Bridgeport street racing accident law firm gives you the best chance at recovering the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Though the insurance companies may make you an offer without an attorney, having an experienced Bridgeport personal injury law firm on your side will ensure that someone is on your side and fighting for your best interests.
If we see that the insurance company is trying to give you a low-ball offer for your injuries, we will fight them so that you are more likely to get the settlement you need and deserve to rebuild your life.
Bert McDowell Injury Law is here for you. When you are ready, reach out to us by calling (203) 590-9169 or filling out our online contact form.
When you do so, we will schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We are eager to hear your story and devise a legal strategy designed to give you the best chance at receiving compensation for all the damages you have suffered.
If you have been injured in an accident, Bring on Bert!
(203) 690-1030
