Motor vehicle collisions can have many different causes in New York, and some of those causes are tied to inexperience behind the wheel. When it comes to teen drivers, in particular, it is critical to recognize the risks of collisions and for parents or guardians to take steps to reduce the likelihood of a teen driving collision. Ultimately, teen drivers have the same responsibility to other motorists and pedestrians as adult drivers. If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a collision involving a teen driver, you should speak with a New York traffic collision lawyer about your options for filing a claim and, if you experienced a serious injury, to determine whether you could be eligible to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In the meantime, the following are some key things to know about teen driving crashes.
About 50% of All Teen Drivers are Involved in a Car Accident Before They Graduate From High School
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), approximately 50% of all teen drivers who have driver’s licenses or learner’s permits will be involved in a motor vehicle collision before they graduate from high school. For most teen drivers, this means they will be in a collision, which can range widely in terms of severity, before they reach the age of 18 or 19.
Most Teen Car Accidents Happen Due to Inexperience
While many people believe teen drivers are more likely to be distracted behind the wheel or are more likely to engage in risk driving behaviors, the underlying reason for the disproportionate rate of teen car accidents, according to the NSC, is that teen drivers are more inexperienced than older drivers. Indeed, as the NSC underscores, teen drivers “struggle judging gaps in traffic, driving the right speed for conditions, and turning safely.”
Parents can Reduce Teen Driving Accident Rates by Setting Rules
Many safety organizations such as the NSC and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety emphasize that parents can help to reduce the rate of teen driver crashes by setting a good example for their teens, and by developing a driving agreement that contains some or all of the following:
● Agreement that the teen driver will never use a cell phone while driving, including while stopped at a red light or a stop sign or in bumper-to-bumper traffic;
● Agreement that the teen driver will not ride with additional teen passengers in the car;
● Teen promises to avoid driving at or above the posted speed limit;
● Teen driver agrees that she or he will never get behind the wheel of a car after consumer alcohol;
● Teen driver agrees to always wear a seat belt when driving; and
● Agreement that teens will have a nighttime driving curfew to avoid after-dark collisions.
Parents can enforce the agreement by restricting driving time if teens violate any of the provisions.
Learn More From a New York Car Accident Lawyer
Whether you were involved in a collision with an at-fault teen driver, or your teen driver was injured in a collision caused by another negligent motorist, it is important to seek advice from an experienced New York car accident attorney. Do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the injury lawyers at our firm. Contact Leitner Varughese Warywoda PLLC today for more information.
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