Sharing the road with teenagers could put you in danger

On Behalf of | Jan 8, 2020 | Uncategorized |

When Florida families gain a new teenage driver, they may do so with trepidation. While they may be happy that he or she has reached this milestone in life, they also worry that something bad could happen.

Statistics indicate that the biggest threat to a teenager’s life is a motor vehicle accident. In 2017, emergency rooms saw around 300,000 teenagers who suffered injuries in crashes. That same year, 2,364 teenagers died in crashes.

Which teens face the most danger?

If you have a teenager, you may wonder whether your child’s at risk of being involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident. The research indicates that the following teens experience the highest risk:

  • Young men between the ages of 16 to 19 face double the chances of death in a car accident than their female counterparts.
  • Teens between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than individuals age 20 and older.
  • The risk is also high for either girls or boys in the first months they have their driver’s licenses.
  • When teenagers have other teenagers in the vehicle with no adults, the chance of a car accident increases as well.

Due to their lack of experience behind the wheel, teens tend to make bad decisions and mistakes that could result in serious injuries or death. Speeding, and alcohol or drug use, also contributes to some of the accidents involving teens. Moreover, they are also susceptible to all of the factors that lead to accidents involving adults, such as distracted driving, drowsy driving and driving at night.

What can you do if a teen driver injures you?

As you drive, you have no idea whether there are teenage drivers around you. You can only do so much to keep yourself safe. If you do end up the victim of an accident involving a teen driver, you may suffer serious injuries. You may pursue compensation for those injuries and the associated financial losses through the filing of a personal injury claim. The civil court process can quickly become complex, overwhelming and stressful.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go through it alone. You may find it beneficial to consult with an experienced attorney who can let you know your rights, examine the circumstances and help you determine the best course of action. If filing a lawsuit turns out to be the best way forward, an attorney can guide you through the process. A successfully litigated claim could result in the compensation you seek.

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