Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, anywhere. However, it’s scientifically proven that higher speeds result in more frequent crashes, including more severe crashes. Since racing success relies on speed and technique, the risk of accidents is at its peak. While racecar drivers are highly trained in preventing accidents, automobile failure and high speeds result in many crashes regardless. Just how deadly are racecar and high-speed collisions? Are there legal consequences for racecar drivers?
Internal Bleeding and Lacerations
High-speed collisions result in very forceful impacts. Drivers typically collide with the vehicle’s interior with enough force to cause internal and external damage. Internal bleeding occurs when blood vessels inside the body are damaged and leaking, which is one of the leading causes of death. External cuts, scrapes, and dismemberments are standard injuries for car accidents, which can cause severe pain and loss of function.
Organ Damage
High-speed crashes can stab or crush internal organs, including the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. Organ failure requires fast intervention, including transplants, which can be challenging to secure promptly.
Brain Trauma
The brain is one of the body’s most essential organs, controlling how we talk, think, eat, breathe, and move. Unfortunately, high-speed racecar collisions often damage the brain through swelling or crushing. Brain damage can cause paralysis, loss of motor function, coma, and death.
Bone Fractures
Bones can easily fracture at high speeds, requiring months of medical supervision and treatment. For complicated fractures, surgery and physical therapy may be necessary. Spinal fractures can lead to permanent total or partial paralysis or death.
Muscle Tears
Torn muscles or tendons may not seem severe but can cause chronic muscle strain and pain. Sufferers may experience long-term difficulties with walking or performing daily activities.
PTSD
Not all car accident damage is strictly physical. Mental health conditions can stem from accidents, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD occurs when a traumatic experience, such as a bad car accident, causes long-term emotional pain, anxiety, fear, and depression. PTSD can be triggered by seemingly ordinary things, resulting in severe distress and anguish.
Death
The most common result of high-speed collisions, especially during racing, is death. Many high-speed impacts on the brain and spine are instantly fatal. In NASCAR alone, 108 drivers have died from accidents, either on-site or from medical complications at a later date.
Legal Consequences
It may seem farfetched for racecar drivers to suffer legal consequences from accidents since racing is all about risky, high-speed driving. Of course, accidental collisions are typically not punished, especially when the damage wasn’t preventable. However, some drivers may engage in additional unlawful, unsafe, and unethical behavior during a race, such as blocking other drivers, which can result in punishments.
Criminal Charges
Suppose a racecar driver is found to have purposely caused an accident through maneuvers such as blocking or intentional contact. In that case, they can face criminal charges such as jail time, fines, misdemeanors, or felonies. Certain charges may revoke a driver’s racing privileges and license entirely.
Race Penalties
Certain unsafe racing behaviors can cause in-race penalties. The most common are starting delays or pit stop delays. At the starting line, a driver must wait a certain amount before starting the race behind other drivers (typically, a matter of seconds or minutes). Pit stop delays result in pit crews waiting a few seconds or minutes before performing mid-race car repairs.
Banning
Harsher racecar driver punishments include entire racing bans, season bans, or permanent bans. While there is always an inherent risk aspect to any racecar driving, hazardous drivers are taken very seriously and can be banned permanently from competition.
Street Racing
Street racing refers to drivers engaging in speed competitions on public roadways, typically near the presence of innocent third-party drivers. It is hazardous and can harm racers and innocent bystanders, including other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. It is also illegal, and car accidents resulting from street racing can result in criminal charges, fines, license revocation, and potential lawsuits. Charges, laws, and specifics can vary by state.
North Carolina
Like elsewhere, street racing is highly illegal. Even if street racing isn’t pre-planned, it can result in criminal charges; courts refer to this as ‘Spontaneous Speed Competition.’ It can be defined as any type of speed competition, regardless of road, vehicle type, and pre-planning.
Missouri
Recently, Missouri passed stricter laws against illegal street racing, but this doesn’t deter many drivers. Punishment can result in misdemeanors or felonies depending on the case and criminal history. Large cities like Kansas City and Springfield have seen an increase in illegal street racing, leading to harsher penalties. Victims of unlawful street racing accidents can contact a car accident attorney to understand their rights and the legal process.
California
In California, any type of illegal street racing can legally be referred to as a ‘speed contest.’ Drivers charged can face fines, jail time, probation, insurance increases, community service, license revocation, and misdemeanor or felony charges. The law must prove that the driver willfully participated in a speed competition.
Conclusion
Racecar collisions usually occur at very high speeds, resulting in particularly damaging consequences—typically fatal. Paralysis, chronic pain, and mental trauma are also quite common. Street racing occurs on public roadways and normally involves innocent bystanders in risky collisions or behaviors. Racecar and street drivers can face legal consequences from fines, racing penalties, or permanent bans from racing or driving.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or professional advice. It discusses the risks and consequences associated with high-speed racing, including street racing, which is illegal in most jurisdictions. Always consult qualified legal and medical professionals for specific guidance, and prioritize safety by adhering to all traffic laws and regulations.
