According to a recent Associated Press news article, six Arizona teenagers suffered personal injuries in a single-vehicle rollover accident after a high school commencement celebration. According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the accident occurred in an undeveloped area southeast of Tucson.
The group of unsupervised teenagers, all males, was said to be “joyriding” and speeding when the driver lost control. The vehicle packed with hapless joyriders slid down an embankment and rolled over, causing injuries to everyone aboard.
The personal injuries sustained in the accident ranged from minor to life-threatening. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved in this accident, or the outcome might have been worse.
Trouble on wheels
Police are investigating the role that alcohol and/or drugs may have played in the accident. Still, even without an investigation, it seems obvious that a carload of teens celebrating a special occasion such as commencement should have received more careful supervision from parents and other elders.
The goal is to reduce the numbers of young drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. A distracted and possibly impaired teen driver is a dangerous weapon. Better parental supervision can help reduce the fallout from teenagers’ errors. And, in situations when parents are unable or unwilling to correct unruly teens, local police can help by enforcing all applicable laws, especially regarding street racing.
Street racing and joyriding
Many of the accidents and incidents involving young drivers and passengers result from risky, testosterone-fueled street racing, in which cars race side-by-side along roadways in urban and suburban areas of Tucson and Pima County.
Most street racing is spontaneous activity involving only two vehicles. Yet, organized street races can be even more dangerous because the crowds of spectators lining the route are exposed to mishaps by the speeding racers.
Joyriding also tends to lead teen drivers into accidents. And, peer pressure brings many otherwise-careful passengers along with erratic drivers, which causes even more personal injuries if there’s an accident.
Personal injury caused by “friends”
This carload of injured teens is an example of a worrisome trend in the Tucson area and throughout Arizona – A single irresponsible under-age driver causes personal injuries to an entire group of friends or family members. Often, the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In the worst cases, teen drivers lack the necessary insurance, or are unlicensed.
The healing process
When negligence by a driver causes personal injury to others, it’s important to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Sometimes, the parents of teen drivers involved in accidents must be held accountable, too.
And, the sooner the healing process can begin, the better for everyone. Yet, healing depends on the available financial resources.
If you or someone you love has suffered a personal injury in Tucson as a result of the actions of an irresponsible teen driver or anyone else, you should contact the Bob Barber Law Firm.
Bob Barber is Tucson’s leading personal injury attorney. He and his team can work to protect your rights, hold the responsible parties accountable, and help speed the healing process by winning the financial compensation you’ll need.
Call Bob Barber at 520-293-4440 or e-mail today.