Throughout Spokane, there’s a number of different scenarios that could result in a car accident. And it doesn’t just impact you as a driver, it trickles down to everyone–including pedestrians. But as a recent story from KHQ details, a mix of youth and impaired driving can be a risk to everyone.
According to the Spokane Police Department, three people were sent to the hospital with injuries in an early morning collision between a teenage driver suspected of being under the influence and a woman pedestrian at the intersection of Perry Street and 49th Avenue on South Hill. Deputies responded to the crash scene around 5:30 a.m., where they found the woman. The driver of the car fled the scene on foot, but was quickly located and arrested by police.
They believe he was intoxicated, but that investigation is ongoing. The collision also resulted in a juvenile passenger being hospitalized with injuries. The collision caused the vehicle to hit a tree, and closed that section of the road for several hours while tow trucks and crews cleared the scene.
Can I File a Car Accident Claim Against a Teen Driver?
Driving under the influence is one of the clearest forms of negligence when it comes to car accidents, but stories like the one above bring up an interesting question: can I still file a car accident claim if the other driver is under 18? The answer, thankfully, is that it doesn’t change your options at all.
In Washington, once a teenager gets their license and drives on Spokane roads, they’re held to the same legal standards as any adult behind the wheel. That means if they cause an accident, they can be held liable for the harm they cause.
But things get more complicated when the teen doesn’t actually own the vehicle. In most cases, liability falls on:
- A parent or another adult who holds the title and insurance.
And under Washington law, that adult might also share in the responsibility. This is where “vicarious liability” comes in—a legal concept that can hold a car’s owner responsible for what someone else does behind the wheel.
In situations where a teen was driving under the influence and they took the car with permission—even if they were drinking or breaking curfew—the vehicle’s owner could be partly liable for what happened.
If the teen was using the car without permission, or was breaking the law, the liability picture shifts, but it’s still ultimately going to fall on the car owner’s auto insurance policy. This can get confusing, but with our team of Spokane car accident lawyers at Crary, Clark, and Domanico, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Contact CCD Law For Help After a Spokane Car Accident
When a teenager causes a car accident—especially if they were under the influence—it can make an already stressful situation feel even more overwhelming. You might be wondering what your rights are, who’s responsible, and how to even start moving forward. That’s where our team at CCD Law comes in. We can make sure you have what you need for a strong claim, getting financial support for your:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing care or rehab
- Lost income from missing work
- Car repairs or replacement
- Pain and emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Funeral costs if someone passed away
- And in some cases, extra damages if the teen’s actions were especially reckless (like driving drunk)
Don’t wait around. If you or someone you care about has been hurt by a teenage driver (or anyone else) in Spokane, reach out today to set up a free consultation. We’ll talk about your options and help you move forward.
