Amy Young, Plaintiff/appellee v. Kenneth L. Beck and Barbara Beck, Husband and Wife, Defendants/appellants

Summary

The Arizona Supreme Court held that the family purpose doctrine remains valid and was not abrogated by comparative-fault legislation or the Financial Responsibility Act. The court also declined to abolish the doctrine, finding no compelling reason to overturn the longstanding common-law rule. Because the undisputed facts showed that the parents furnished the vehicle for their son's general use and permitted him to drive it, his deviation from their restrictions did not defeat vicarious liability, and summary judgment for Young was affirmed.