What happened:
A frightening finish to a recent NASCAR race left at least 33 fans injured at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. The accident occurred during the second-tier of the Daytona 500.
As reported by the Associated Press, the crash began as the field approached the checkered flag and driver Regan Smith, trying to preserve his lead position, attempted to block another driver, Brad Keselowski. That triggered a chain reaction, and a third driver, Kyle Larson, hit the cars in front of him and went airborne into the fence.
The entire front end was sheared off Larson’s car, and the burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence. Chunks of debris from the car were thrown into the stands, including a tire that sailed across the top of the fence and landed midway up the spectator section closest to the track.
Witnesses in the stands reported seeing clouds of smoke. Fourteen fans were treated on site, and another nineteen were taken to area hospitals. Two people were originally reported to be in critical condition but were later upgraded to stable.
The North Carolina Injury Lawyer Perspective:
One fan interviewed at the scene said of NASCAR racing, “I love the speed of the sport, but it’s so dangerous.”
Driver Tony Stewart, who went on to win the race, described the scene, “I looked in the mirror and that’s the worst image I’ve ever seen in a race in my life. I saw a tyre about 10 feet from me, just a row above me with a man under it and people yelling for help.”
Thankfully, there were no fatalities in this crash. The fans who were injured should consult with a personal injury attorney to find out what compensation they may be entitled to for pain and loss they will endure during their recovery process.
Helpful Info:
To learn about what types of damages are available through a personal injury claim, take a moment to read this article which discusses the possibility of obtaining damages to compensate for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Have Questions?
FAQs on what to do if you’ve suffered a serious injury in an accident.