Teenagers often get a bad reputation for not being good drivers on the road. Whether that is due to their affinity for texting and driving or their so-called reckless attitude (some more than others) that comes with being young, teenage drivers are typically stereotyped. While we cannot deny that teenagers are less experienced drivers, does that mean they are more prone to accidents? Are teenage drivers more dangerous than adult drivers? And if your teenage son or daughter get sin an accident, who is liable for the damages?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the death toll for teenagers in motor accidents was around 235,845 in 2015. In 2018, almost 2,500 teens in the U.S. between the ages of 13 to 19 were killed, and about 285,000 were treated in emergency departments across the nation. Every day, around 7 teens between the ages of 13 and 19 die due to a motor vehicle crash.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident with a teenager driver, contact our office online today.
Am I Responsible for my Teenager’s Motor Accident?
A few states in the U.S., California and Florida included, require parents of new teen drivers to assume liability if their teenager causes a car accident. There are a few exceptions to this rule. If the parents do not have legal custody of the teenager when the accident happens, then this rule will not apply. Also, parents generally will not be held liable for their teenager’s mistakes while driving once the teenager reaches the age of 18.
What Damages Will I Be Held Responsible For?
If you have added your teenager to your car insurance policy, it will not matter who is legally liable for the car accident, financially. Your car insurance company will pay the other driver for any damages. An exception to this would be if the teenage driver committed a criminal wrongdoing instead of a negligent wrongdoing, which resulted in a motor vehicle crash. All car insurance policies exclude coverage from any such claim.
What Makes Teenagers Prone to Accidents?
Teenagers are more prone to accidents due but not limited to the following factors:
- Lack of experience
- Get distracted easily
- Less likely to pay close attention while driving
- More likely to speed
- Peer pressure from friends means they may take more driving risks
- Inability to understand the correct estimate of time for a driving maneuver (due to lack of experience)
Contact a Lawyer at Our Firm Today
As a teenager or parent to a teenager, a motor vehicle accident of any caliber can be devastating. You not only have to worry about your injuries and damages to your vehicle but the financial ramifications as well. On the other hand, if you were hit by a teenager and suffered due to his/her negligence or criminal activity, you deserve to be compensated for such actions.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident caused by a teen driver, contact our office today. We always strive to help our clients get the compensation they so rightfully deserve and will support you every step of the way. We can assist you with building a case that ensures you will get the financial compensation you deserve.
Reach out online or call us directly at (916) 778-3228 to get started today.