Expert advice for preventing and handling teen car accidents this summer.
With deadly traffic accidents increasing in frequency from Memorial Day to Labor Day, summer is a dangerous time for all drivers, but especially for teens. Young, unexperienced drivers already have a number of factors working against them and increasing the chances of an accident. Combine youthful inexperience with the additional temptations that summer brings and you have a recipe for even greater risks.
Consider the following facts:
- Car accidents are the leading cause of death for American teenagers.
- 1 in 4 fatal car accidents involves a driver age 16 to 24.
- According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2013’s worst months for teenage traffic deaths were June, July, and August.
Support Safe Driving Habits
Fortunately, numerous public awareness campaigns are helping parents to protect their kids from the high risk of a fatal traffic accident during the summer. Some tips include:
Continue driving practice—Just because a teen passes their driver’s test does not make them a perfect driver. Parents are urged to continue driving practice with their teens in order to help further strengthen good habits.
Restrict driving to daytime—Roughly 40 percent of fatal car crashes involving teen drivers take place between 9 pm and 6 am.
Restrict number of passengers—When carrying two passengers under 21, a teen’s risk of a fatal accident increases doubles. With three or more young passengers, the risk quadruples, primarily due to increased distractions for the driver.
Give safety reminders—Teens have the worst seat belt use rate of any age group, and this is definitely a factor in the high rate of fatalities. Speeding and cell phone use are also prime contributors to car accidents among teen drivers. Remind your teen to avoid these 3 dangerous behaviors.
Ensure Teens Know What to Do After an Accident
Of course, even the safest, most conscientious teen driver may be involved in an accident that is not their fault. If this should occur, it is extremely important that your teen knows what to do. The key steps include:
- Always stop even if the accident seems minor
- Get medical attention for anyone who needs it
- Document the scene of the accident with cell phone photos or video
- Exchange contact information with other drivers and witnesses
- DO NOT admit fault for the accident
- Call a parent
Parents, if and when you receive a call from your teen stating that they have been in an accident, you will want to call an experienced car accident injury attorney such as Michael A. Kahn. Attorney Kahn can help protect your teen’s interests in the case, helping to ensure they are not unfairly blamed or unjustly denied full and fair compensation for their injuries.
