Residents of Bernalillo County may have noticed an increase in the amount and frequency of illegal drag racing that has been occurring in northeast Albuquerque during the summer of 2014, and the Bernalillo County Sherriff’s Office is starting to take action. According to a report by Albuquerque CBS partner KRQE, the Sheriff’s office has began to stake out the popular drag racing spots during the peak times for racing, and arrested 10 people for drag racing last weekend alone.
The Dangers of Illegal Racing on Public Roads
Car racing is an inherently dangerous activity, and people who choose to race usually make a conscious choice to put themselves at risk when they decide to participate in a race. Unfortunately, there are often passengers or bystanders that have no choice but to suffer the tragic consequences of a driver’s choice to race; a resident interviewed for the article knew a person who was recently killed as a result of speeding on Montgomery road, one of the most popular drag racing spots. In last week’s stakeout, sheriff’s officers arrested one racer who had children in the car with him, and he was charged with child abuse. It is clear that the drag-racing trend endangers more than just the drivers who choose to race.
Legal Liability for Injuries Sustained in a Race-Related Accident
If someone is injured or killed in a car accident that is caused or worsened by drag racing, holding the responsible parties accountable can be difficult. There may be multiple parties at fault, and all of the insurance companies involved will be trying to divert liability from themselves and their clients. Because the racing (and the speeding that goes along with it) is illegal, making a case against a driver who is racing and causes an accident resulting in injury or death may not be difficult in every case. If the injury victim was involved or complicit in the decision to race, the case can be more complicated though the drivers may still be held accountable. Because of the various factors affecting potential liability for damages, when someone is injured or killed in an accident related to drag racing it is important for a complete and thorough investigation to be done at the scene of the accident and afterwards. It is best for anyone affected by a race-related accident to consult with legal counsel as soon as possible after any injury occurs.
Have You Been in an Accident?
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident in New Mexico that you suspect was related to illegal drag racing, it is important to consult with a competent attorney while your recollection of the event and related evidence are still available. The skilled lawyers at The Fine Law Firm are experienced in all types of accident and personal injury cases, and we’re dedicated to getting our clients the solutions that they deserve. Don’t wait until it is too late to make your case, and contact The Fine Law Firm today. Call us at (585)-889-3463 today to schedule a free consultation, or complete a free case review through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Distracted Driver Causes Crash on Interstate 25 That Leaves One Dead, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, June 5, 2014.
New Mexico State Police Officer Injured by Drunk Driver Late Last Month, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, July 7, 2014.