“AfroDuck” Didn’t Duck the Law In Speed Racer Stunt

So you love posting pictures on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter or videos on You Tube, but you must be careful when posting online.  Could the post damage my reputation?  Are you doing something illegal in the post?

A driver who allegedly set a record for a single lap around Manhattan in just over 24 minutes faces charges for reckless and careless driving.  Police arrested the man and seized his 2006 BMW Z4 after news reports surfaced about a You Tube video of the late-night stunt that took place on August 24.

The driver captured the event on a dashboard-mounted video camera as he cut and weaved through 26.5 miles of Manhattan roadway. Two days later, he uploaded the video on You Tube under the name AfroDuck Production.  He told Jalopnik, a car-geek website, “You frankly can’t identify who I am by just looking at the video.”  Apparently, “Speed Racer” was unaware there really is no complete privacy when posting on the net because police were able to track this man down using an IP address and license plate readers.  He is being charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving, disobeying traffic signals, and speeding.  He is lucky not to be facing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Street racing and speeding are glamorized in TV shows and movies such as Speed Racer, 24, and the Fast and the Furious.  In reality, it is not only illegal, but dangerous and….deadly!  There is no reason to race on public roads putting your life and others at risk.  Additionally, think twice before posting anything inflammatory or potentially illegal on the internet.  It can be held against you in a court of law.  Let this be a reminder that what you post on the internet can get you into legal trouble.  The rules of evidence govern litigation because it dictates what can and cannot be considered as evidence against you.  Any form of communication you choose – words, pictures, etc. can be presented in court, depicting evidence against you.  So, even though social media sites are great for many reasons, there are a few reasons they are not good; being held accountable for your actions over something you posted is one of the “not good” reasons.

Mark Bello has thirty-six years experience as a trial lawyer and fourteen years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life litigation funding is needed by a plaintiff involved in pending, personal injury, litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Member of Public Justice, Public Citizen, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.