Whether it is commuting to work, picking the kids up from school or driving around town with friends, cars provide convenience and pleasure in many aspects of everyday life. But when drivers abuse the privilege of operating a motor vehicle, the machines can quickly become dangerous and deadly weapons on the streets. Motorists are harmed or killed in car accidents every day across the United States. Although drunk driving and negligence are common factors in fatal accidents, a new trend is also contributing to accidents in Tennessee.

In Memphis, a 19-year-old man is dead after a collision with another vehicle. Initial reports suggest the accident may have been the result of street racing. The teenager was turning left through an intersection when his vehicle was struck by driver behind the wheel of a 2003 Ford Mustang. The teen died after being taken to a nearby hospital.

The teen is not the first street racing fatality in the city. Just last year, a 20-year-old man was killed after a pair of street racers collided with his vehicle. This trend in Memphis, and in many other parts of the country, poses risk to innocent people anywhere in the vicinity of racing cars, as the high speeds of the vehicles commonly lead to catastrophic injuries and death.

Compensation may be available, via personal injury lawsuits, to families of car accident victims in Tennessee to help them cover expenses related to medical bills and funerals. This money can also be sought for pain and suffering related to the loss of a loved one. In many cases, insurance companies will attempt to deny claims or pay as little as possible, leaving victims feeling exasperated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, for the best chance of recovery, pursing a claim sooner rather than later is a good idea.

Source: WMCTV, “Memphis teen killed in car crash,” Jerica Phillips, April 6, 2014