Many cities across the United States are reporting an uptick in street racing since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Less traffic on the road has resulted in more street racing incidents, and generally, more speeding. These behaviors have further resulted in more accidents, injuries, and deaths due to speeding and reckless behavior.
Dangers of Street Racing
Street racing is dangerous for many reasons – some of which are not limited to the occupants inside the racing vehicles. Street racing:
- Commandeers entire sections of the road
- Blocks traffic and causes congestion
- Disrupts nearby businesses
- Endangers pedestrians
- Ties up first responders
Any of these factors can be dangerous and can cause accidents. For those involved in street racing accidents, the results are often more catastrophic due to the high speed during races.
Speed a Common Factor in Personal Injury Cases
Speed is one of the most common factors cited in personal injury cases. Each year, speeding is a factor in more than 25% of all traffic fatalities. It is also a factor in more than 8,000 accidents, causing thousands of injuries. The causes of these accidents are because speeding:
- Increases the risk of losing control
- Reduces the effectiveness of safety features
- Increases the distance required to stop
- Increases the risk of more severe injuries
Common injuries resulting from speeding-related accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Head injury
- Burns
- Death
With this in mind, officials in California and other states are hoping to stop this dangerous activity. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has received grant funding to help enforce traffic laws and stop illegal street racing.
Have You Been Injured in a Street Racing Accident?
If you have been injured in a street racing accident as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or bystander who is not at fault, contact Lipeles Law Group. You may have grounds to file a personal injury claim and recover compensation for your injuries.