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 (817) 591-4222 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.