If you have been injured by a teen driver, Michael A. Kahn can help as your car accident injury attorney.
You probably already know that teen drivers have a reputation for getting into accidents. Statistically speaking, teenagers are actually the demographic most likely to cause a car accident—and this is why insurance companies always charge more to cover teen drivers.
The simple fact that teens are out of school and have more opportunities to be drive in the summer means that this season always brings an uptick in teen car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority, teens are responsible for about 50 percent more drunk driving accidents during the summertime. Also, about twice as many teens will die in car accidents in the summer months compared to the rest of the year.
Of course, teens are not only endangering themselves when they drive drunk or distracted. They also pose a danger to the other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians they may encounter while out on the roads. In fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, an average of 10 people die every day of the summer season due to accidents involving a teen driver.
Stop Distracted Driving to Save Lives
Part of the reason teens are prone to car accidents may be that their brains are not yet fully developed, particularly in the areas that process risk and reward. This may lead teens to underestimate the risks of certain maneuvers and end up causing accidents with aggressive or reckless driving.
However, distracted driving plays an undeniably large role in causing teen accidents. Using a cell phone while driving is one of the worst distractions. About 56 percent of high school students admit to talking on a cell phone while driving, and 33 percent say they have sent a text or email while behind the wheel. Increasing awareness of the fact that using a cell phone while driving reduces a teen’s reaction time to that of a 70-year-old and doubles the risk of an accident could help convince teens to put the phones away and prevent accidents.
Have You Been in an Accident with a Teen Driver?
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a teen driver, you need to resist the impulse to tell the rattled teen everything is okay. You do not want to say anything that could be construed as an admission of fault for the accident or used to try to minimize the severity of your injuries.
Your communication with the other drivers involved in the accident should be limited to taking down their contact information and insurance information. Next, if you are able, try to take pictures of the scene of the accident, including all damage to the vehicles. Finally, call an experienced car accident injury attorney like Michael A. Kahn for advice. Attorney Kahn can advise you of the amount of compensation you could recover for your injuries and suffering and handle all interactions with the insurance companies for you.
For a free initial consultation regarding your accident, please call us at (310) 209-1600 now.
