Parents never stop worrying about the safety of their children. The more freedom they gain, the greater the worry becomes. As teens suddenly acquire driving privileges, parents must trust that their knowledge and training will keep them out of devastating motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Teens are at risk on the road for numerous reasons, including:
- General inexperience: Whether on a busy street or in difficult weather, younger drivers might not be able to quickly recognize and react to a dangerous situation.
- Failure to consistently use seat belts: According to numerous studies, teens and young adults are the lowest statistical category of drivers and passengers when it comes to seat belt use. In fact, according to safety data from 2018, of the teen drivers and passengers who died in vehicle crashes that year, almost half were unrestrained at the time of the crash.
- Distracted driving: Like nearly every other driver, teens can be tempted by various distractions while behind the wheel. From making a call and programming a navigation system to eating and grooming while driving, teens are likely to allow their attention to drift from the act of safely operating the vehicle.
- Impaired driving: In addition to the lack of experience, teen drivers might not fully understand how different substances could impair their driving ability. From prescription medication to over the counter cold pills, these medications can have a strong effect.
Do these accidents occur in a pattern?
Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle collision based on numerous factors. However, the CDC has compiled data that illuminates certain patterns. For example, in the crash data for 2018, 37% of motor vehicle crash fatalities among teen drivers and passengers aged 13-19 occurred in the evenings and overnight hours. Specifically, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Most of the fatalities, 52%, occurred on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
If your teen driver was involved in a motor vehicle collision, it is wise to seek the guidance of an experienced legal professional. An attorney can answer your questions regarding recovering monetary compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
