A truck rollover crash recently killed two Minnesota teenagers. While any car accident involving individuals so young is tragic, it is well documented that teens are more at risk of accidents due to their inexperience behind the wheel—and sometimes due to their lack of maturity when it comes to making life or death driving decisions.
Based on early investigations of the accident, the Star Tribune reports that a “Nerf Wars” game may have played a role in the deadly accident. Reports suggest that a “Nerf Wars competition may have been taking place inside the pickup and may be responsible for the truck suddenly running off the road when the driver overcorrected after hitting gravel.
Auto accident lawyers in Minneapolis, Minnesota remind parents that they can be held legally responsible for the decisions their children make behind the wheel. Parents can be held liable in personal injury lawsuits in the state where teen drivers’ negligent acts result in death or injury.
Teen driving involves high stakes. Inexperience, propensity to get distracted, and immaturity all can contribute to deadly accidents or to crashes resulting in serious life-altering injuries. So, what can parents do to protect their teen drivers and what should parents know about “Nerf Wars?” Is your child at risk?
Rules for Nerf Wars are readily available online and many groups who play the game sometimes develop their own “house rules.” The game, in itself, need not be deadly. According to online rules, game players are told to select a location where the game will be played. Unfortunately, online instructions on popular websites such as WikiHow, don’t warn players about the dangers of playing the game using vehicles. Safety tips are provided, but they involve limits on the kinds of weapons that can be used and instruction about wearing proper eye protection. Nerf War games are often played in public spaces like parks or neighborhoods. Unfortunately, when cars are involved, the game can become dangerous and deadly.
In short, the game is played using Nerf guns. Players are granted a certain number of “hits.” If they sustain more hits than the limit, they are “out.”
Nerf Wars is reportedly popular among Minnesota students who play the game off school hours. Teens report that the game can be fun. Online forums and social media also make it easier for teens to organize a “Nerf War.” In the rollover accident that killed two teens, players in the reported Nerf Wars game were connected to one another through Twitter.
Parents are encouraged to speak to their teens about the game and about the dangers of using vehicles to play tactical games like Nerf Wars. Distracted driving is one of the leading killers and causes of car accidents every year. Teens, in particular, should not be allowed to use the phone while driving, because lack of experience combined with distraction, can be deadly behind the wheel.
The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is an auto accident attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm urges parents to have regular conversations about driving safety with teens and children. It’s never too early to start.