Arizona Ruling Says Parents on Hook for Kids’ Wrecks

Arizona parents are on the hook financially even when a minor son or daughter gets in an auto accident while driving a family vehicle in violation of parental instructions.

That’s according to an Arizona Court of Appeals ruling May 20 in a case stemming from a 17-year-old’s accident that caused serious injuries to another driver.

The accident occurred after the youth drove friends around although his parents had told him after a previous accident that he could only drive to school, church or work.

The parents argued that they shouldn’t be held liable when their son drove the family car in violation of restrictions they imposed.

But the court said it was enough that the son had consent from the parents to drive the car “for his pleasure and convenience.”