Now that summer is here and school is out, you may have noticed that there
has been an influx of young drivers on the road. Unfortunately,
car accidents are the leading cause of
death for teenagers ages 15 to 20.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately
six teenagers die every day in motor vehicle crashes. On average, nearly
one million teens are involved in car collisions each year, resulting
in 2,865 deaths and 383,000 injuries. Of all age groups, teens experience
more car accidents than average.
While causes can vary, the following are the most common causes of teen
car accidents:
- Driver inexperience – Driving experience comes with time and plenty
of practice. It can take years before new drivers feel comfortable behind
the wheel. Teenagers who are driving for the first time are not as skilled
at driving in various weather and traffic conditions, as well as during
the evenings.
- Distracted driving – Younger generations, from an early age, have
been introduced to and immersed in cellphones and social media, making
interactivity second nature. The Children’s Hospital found that
approximately 20% of teen driving accidents could be caused by distractions
moments before a crash. Not only can cellphones and texting cause a teen
driver to be distracted, but also driving with friends in the car has
shown to put teens at greater risk of collision.
- Drinking and driving – Drunk driving is dangerous for everyone, but
it can especially be harmful for teen drivers. According to MADD, about
one out of four fatal teen driver car accidents involving underage drinking
and driving. Additionally, nearly 60% of young drivers involved in a fatal
drunk driving accident didn’t use a seat belt.
- Reckless driving – Speeding is a common problem among teen drivers.
When paired together with driver inexperience, plenty of accidents can
occur. Common examples include coming around a turn too fast or failing
to leave more space to stop in wet or icy conditions. Not only can reckless
behavior cause accidents, but it is also a crime (just like drunk driving
and distracted driving).
What to Do After a Car Accident
Before you hand over the car keys to your teenager, you need to be aware
of the dangers and facts about teen drivers. Sometimes car accidents happen
whether you are prepared or not, which is why it’s important to
teach teens safe driving habits and inform them of the steps they should
take if an accident does happen.
Individuals who have been involved in a car accident should take the following
steps to provide for their own safety and have a strong claim if they
wish to secure compensation:
- Seek medical attention
- Document the accident: Take photos of your injuries and damage, collect
driver information, collect witness statements, get a copy of the crash report
- Hire a personal injury attorney who can investigate your accident
At-fault drivers and insurance companies will do what they can to undermine
claims and avoid paying victims what they need to heal. The stronger your
claim, the more likely it is that you can secure the maximum amount of
compensation needed to pay for your medical bills, property damage repairs,
and make up for your lost wages.
Supporting Crash Victims Since 1976
With more than 40 years of experience helping victims of accidents, our
attorneys at the Law Office of James M. Stanley can be trusted to protect
your rights to financial compensation and help you reclaim your life.
Accidents can be incredibly painful and traumatizing, and you may just
be hoping to get everything resolved as soon as possible so you can move
on. Our attorneys act efficiently and can collect evidence, file your
claim, and hold negligent drivers responsible so we can help you return
to your life and your future. Some injuries can be serious and cost thousands
of dollars to treat – our law firm believes victims shouldn’t
have to go into debt to pay for expenses when they’ve already suffered,
and when their injuries are caused by someone else’s carelessness.
The Law Office of James M. Stanley offers free consultations when you call
{F:P:Site:Phone} or contact us online.Since 1976, our personal injury attorneys have helped countless clients
recover successfully from their injuries, including injuries caused in
car accidents.