Teenagers are known to lack caution when they are behind the wheel, which is one reason why they usually pay higher auto insurance rates. Although this isn’t to say that every teen drives inattentively, an unfortunate accident in Florida only reinforces this preconception about young motorists.
Just days before they were set to celebrate prom and graduation three high school students became involved in a car accident in Land O’ Lakes. According to reports, the young man driving with two passengers took a left turn even though the signal was still red and collided with a Pasco County school van.
The van rolled over, but the driver only sustained minor injuries. Unfortunately, however, the teenage occupants of the car weren’t so lucky. All three were seriously injured in the collision. Perhaps the only thing that prevented their injuries from being any worse was the fact that they were wearing seat belts.
This was not the only accident this spring involving students from the high school in Land O’ Lakes. Another student was injured when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed through a tree on May 1.
Any of those who were injured in this most recent accident, however, may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the 17-year-old driver. Failing to obey the traffic light could be a sign of negligence, which ultimately led to multiple injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash, so there is no official accident report at this time. Yet, when the report is issued, the accident victims and their parents may want to determine their legal rights and responsibilities.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, “Three Sunlake High School students seriously injured in crash near campus,” Lisa Buie, May 17, 2013