What You Need To Know About Teen Drivers and Personal Injury Claims In Boca Raton

Teen drivers are less experienced and more likely to cause fatal car crashes that result in personal injury claims, according to a study by the American Automobile Association (AAA).

And making matters worse is the fact that these fatal accidents are more likely to occur during the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when teens are on summer vacation and pursuing leisure activities that require driving.

A study of 16- and 17-year-old drivers found a 15-percent increase in fatal car accidents during those 100 days, and over the past five years (2012-2016), 1,600 people have died in accidents involving teen drivers during this 100-day period.

The question is: Why are teens more prone to cause fatal car crashes, and what can parents do to lower the rate of these accidents?

Distraction Causes Fatal Car Accidents That Lead To Personal Injury Claims

Driver distraction has steadily increased as one of the deadliest driving behaviors, and teenagers are far more likely than any other driving group to practice distracted driving.

Distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road, even if it’s for only a few seconds, and distractions also cause drivers to take their hands off the wheel.

Driver distraction includes texting while driving, chatting with a passenger, applying makeup, talking on a mobile phone (including with a hands-free device), and eating.

And when you combine the inexperience of teen drivers with distraction, it becomes a recipe for disaster.

Speeding Is Another Danger For Teen Drivers

Another reason that teens contribute so much to personal injury claims involving car accidents is that they like to drive fast.

Speeding is always near the top of the most common causes of fatal accidents, and 30 percent of teen-involved crashes are attributed to speeding.

Speeding greatly increases the chances of a rear-end accident, and also increases the impact at which a vehicle collides with another car on the road.

Ways To Keep Teens From Causing Fatal Accidents

Car safety experts recommend that parents talk to teens about the dangers of speeding and driver distraction.

And to help teens focus on the road, parents can invest in apps that disable a mobile phone when a person is driving.

Parents can also attend a continuing driver education course with their teens, so that they both learn to practice safe driving.

Help After a Car Accident

As car accidents caused by teenagers continue to rise, it’s important that you secure an experienced personal injury team if you have suffered injuries caused by a teen driver. Leifer & Ramirez has handled many of these cases, and our goal is to obtain rightful compensation for your peace of mind. Please call us today at 561-660-9421 for a free legal consultation.

Additional Reading

How To Avoid Distracted Driving During the Eclipse

What Kinds of Damages May I Claim For Injuries Caused By a Car Accident?