As the parent of teenage children, you may be stressed about your kids driving or being involved in a car accident in another teen’s car. Recently, Whatcom County experienced a teen rollover crash that sent five teens to the hospital.
What is a rollover crash?
A rollover crash is a deadly type of motor vehicle accident that occurs when a vehicle crashes into something and then rolls over at least once before coming to a stop. Rollover crashes have a very high fatality rate compared to other types of crashes. Supported by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are six main factors that contribute to the risk of vehicle rollover accidents. These are:
- The type of vehicle (SUVs and vans are more susceptible)
- Driving on rural roads (because they lack clear divisions and barriers that reduce the risk)
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving at high speeds
- Routine driving
- Single-vehicle crashes
I-5 Rollover Crash Sends 5 to the Hospital
As reported by whatcomnews.com, at approximately 12:50 am on Sunday, October 29, emergency responders were dispatched to the northbound lanes of I-5, just north of the Northwest Avenue interchange, following reports of a severe rollover crash resulting in significant injuries.
According to initial radioed reports from the scene, there were two patients on the ground. Washington State Patrol (WSP) released a press memo detailing their preliminary findings: a red 2005 Ford F150 pickup truck, driven by an 18-year-old Bellingham woman and carrying five other occupants aged 15 to 18, was traveling northbound on I-5. The vehicle drifted left, striking the median’s cable barrier. The impact caused the Ford to roll over, ultimately blocking the northbound lanes.
Emergency crews transported four of the six occupants to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center, while a 15-year-old was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. One individual was reported as uninjured. Five out of the six occupants were confirmed to have been wearing seatbelts during the crash, with the status of the sixth occupant’s seatbelt usage remaining unknown.
The investigation revealed that drugs and/or alcohol played a role in causing the crash, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Teen Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. The vulnerability of young drivers is compounded by the fact that teenage brains are still in the process of development, making teens more prone to impulsive behavior and poor judgment. Unfortunately, these poor decisions often involve dangerous activities such as drinking and driving or texting while driving, both of which significantly increase the risks associated with operating a vehicle.
In the year 2020 alone, a devastating 2,738 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes. Despite representing only 6.5 percent of the U.S. population in 2017, young people aged 15 to 19 contributed to approximately $13.1 billion, nearly eight percent, of the total costs related to motor vehicle injuries due to accidents involving teenage drivers.
Several key risk factors contribute to teen driving accidents, including:
- Drinking and driving
- Texting and driving
- Other forms of distracted driving
- Teen passengers
- Excessive number of passengers
- Speeding
- Failure to wear seat belts
- Drowsy driving
Parents of teen drivers should do everything they can to talk to their teens about the importance of safe driving. If your teen is injured in a wreck due to the negligence of another teen driver, contact a car accident lawyer for help.
Seek the help of a car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
