Street Racing Accident in Los Angeles Kills Woman

The woman was in a standard vehicle one evening when a car involved in a street race hit her own, killing her. Police arrived at the accident to find that the SUV that hit her was still there, but the driver was nowhere to be found. Witnesses report that the driver, who was injured in the accident, was carried away by some of his comrades, leaving the woman to die in her vehicle. Police are still unsure about what type of vehicle was driven by the other party involved in the race, but the driver of that vehicle is also nowhere to be found. Neither one stuck around to face the consequences of their actions, which were the direct cause of a fatal accident.

Although accidents caused by street racers are less frequent than drunk driving accidents, distraction accidents, and others, they are some of the most dangerous that can occur because of the high speeds. Street racers obviously travel at speeds that are much more excessive than the posted limits in California, sometimes reaching speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour, depending on the vehicle. One car hitting another at a speed of 35 mph is more than enough to cause injury and destruction; cars hitting one another at speeds of 150 or more miles per hour, however, are virtually guaranteed to result in severe, debilitating injuries or death.

Because of the danger of street racing and street racing-related accidents, the California Highway Patrol is initiating strict penalties for those who are involved in street racing. Drivers can be sent to prison for up to six months and fined up to $1,000 simply for being involved in a street race.

They can also have their license suspended for up to half a year or more. Even those who are not driving the cars during street races can be fined and imprisoned, including passengers and those who start the race with the wave of a flag. Drivers that cause accident and injury to others during a street race can be sent to prison for several years. In virtually all of California, street racing cars are impounded for until released for a hefty sum, and in certain cities like Ontario, impounded street racing cars are actually crushed to make scrap metal.

The relatives of the woman who died last week at the hands of a street racer have every right to seek the help of a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. Personal injury lawyers help victims and the families of victims cope with their grief by receiving compensation for their loss. Financial compensation obviously won’t make up for the loss of a loved one and won’t make all feelings of grief and suffering magically disappear, but it can help relieve much unnecessary during the difficult time following a death in the family.