Most people know that street racing can cause criminal charges but not all who participate in this activity take the potential civil penalties into consideration. Read on to find out more about them. If you have been injured as a result of street racing or other negligent driving then you may have a case for a personal injury claim. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal evaluation.
One case makes the point
To understand both criminal and civil penalties associated with street racing, one need go no further than one case that take place in 2015. In this case, a 19-year-old named Carlos Hernandez was involved in a street racing accident in which two were killed. The case involved Hernandez and another driver, Elexis Garcia, who were racing on Pacific Coast Highway.
Hernandez, who was driving a pickup truck, swerved in front of Garcia’s car, cut her off, and resulted in her losing control. Garcia swerved into oncoming traffic. Both Garcia and her brother died in the accident, and two other passengers suffered serious injuries. As a result, Hernandez was sent to county jail for one year and will be on probation for five years.
The consequences are more than legal
Hernandez pleaded no contest to his charges, which were reckless driving and vehicular manslaughter. The jail and probation were just the beginning of his consequences. He is also ordered by the judge to take part in activities that were designed specifically to prevent reckless driving. This includes visiting a morgue.
Potential civil penalties for street racing
The bad news is that street racing has become even more popular in the last decade. Police believe that there are many reasons for this, including films, such as Fast and Furious, and video games, such as Need for Speed. Another main issue is that today’s racers can post on social media to let everyone know about the races – which increases the thrill and the number of races.
One thing that racer should know is that the consequences can extend far beyond criminal charges. It can result in having their car impounded, paying huge fines, getting their license revoked, and paying higher insurance rates for many years. Note as well that insurance policies do not cover car accidents that took place during car races. If a person has any personal wealth and they cause an injury or death by street racing, then they can count on losing the entirety of that personal wealth.
Call us now to find out what your rights are for a personal injury lawsuit
If you have lost a loved one or been injured due to another person driving recklessly then you may have grounds for a person injury lawsuit. The easiest way to find out is to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
