Teen drivers are by far more prone to accidents than adults. The grim statistic shows that car accidents are the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 20.
Reasons for Teen Car Accidents
When driving in the car with other teens, the risk of an accident increases considerably. Due to their inexperience, teen drivers are less aware of the dangers of driving, and they cannot correctly evaluate road conditions.
Some of the most common reasons for teen car accidents are:
- Texting while driving – Texting and driving are banned in most states, but teens still do it anyway, and it does result in car accidents and death.
- Talking on the phone and driving – Some states do not allow talking on the phone while driving. In other states, the driver must use a Bluetooth device.
- Intoxication (either alcohol or drugs) while driving.
- Lack of experience – Teenage drivers, lack the knowledge to safely drive in hazardous weather conditions or regain control of the car. That is why teens have three times as many car crashes as adults do.
- Speeding – Driving too fast is another big contributor to teen car accidents.
- Driving after dark – Most states prohibit teens from driving after dark for a period of time while they gain experience.
- Not wearing seat belts – Serious injuries and even death occur when drivers and passengers do not wear their seatbelts.
- Driving in the car with friends – A bunch of teens in a car is a recipe for disaster. Loud music playing, laughing, and talking is a lot of distraction for a teen driver. Studies show that teens do not operate well in that environment. Therefore, many states have enacted laws to limit the number of passengers in a car driven by a teen.
What to Do After a Teen Car Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car crash that involves a teenager, contact us for a free consultation to find out about your rights and how to proceed.
