Teens certainly are at a greater risk of car accidents than the general public. If you look at their fatal vehicle accident rates, for instance, it is roughly three times as high as it is for adult drivers. There is a disproportionate risk that teens will be involved in fatal or serious car accidents.
There are a few different ways to look at why this happens. The first is to look at specific causes like distracted driving, impaired driving or aggressive driving. Many teens break the speed limit, get distracted by phones or passengers or even drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Inexperience behind the wheel
Another thing to consider is that teens are simply inexperienced. Even if someone gets their license as soon as they can at 16, they have likely only been practicing for a number of months prior to getting that license. They just haven’t had that much time behind the wheel.
This makes it more likely that they will make a mistake. In some cases, this can lead to serious car accidents. For example, a 17-year-old driver may make a dangerous and aggressive move to pass another vehicle, but not intentionally. They may believe when they pull out to pass that there is plenty of space before they encounter oncoming traffic.
Their inexperience can make it difficult for them to gauge vehicle speeds and distance. An adult driver who has been driving longer may understand that there is not nearly enough space and would not risk passing. In a situation like that, it is directly the young driver’s inexperience that could lead them to make a fatal error.
Seeking financial compensation
Have you been involved in a car accident caused by a teen driver, perhaps leading to significant damages like medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering? Make sure you know exactly what legal options you have for seeking compensation. Call The Law Office of Aman N. Shah today at 714-312-3974 or go to our contact page to arrange for a free initial consultation.
