Why would legal vs illegal make any difference to some ambulance chaser when it comes to looking for deep pockets for a payday?

I certainly realize that laws are written and enforced to attempt to keep people in line and for the safety of others, but bad stuff happens all the time. Both the racers and spectators showed up to a known illegal activity. The drivers chose poorly by racing in those conditions. The dead spectators chose poorly by placing themselves in a spot where somebody else's mistake would cost them. All involved share guilt and blame.