Atlanta, Georgia, has a lot of traffic congestion thanks to the many commuters and people who travel daily. Teen drivers are more likely than adult drivers to underestimate dangerous situations, follow too closely, and speed.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a teenager, you’ll want to consult with one of our winning Atlanta car accident lawyers, who can help you get the compensation you deserve. We are happy to provide you with a free case evaluation. Give us a call at (470) 323-8779 or write to us online via our website.
Causes of Teen Driving Accidents
Unfortunately, many teenagers receive their licenses before they are ready for the responsibility and consequently become involved in major and minor car accidents. The first few months of driving are the most dangerous for new drivers, and they may take more risks or not be able to react quickly enough to prevent an accident in emergencies. Following are a few causes of Teen Driving Accidents:
Inexperience
The number one cause of teen car accidents is lack of experience. Teens are not as good at judging distances, following directions, and scanning the road as more experienced drivers. A teen’s inexperience behind the wheel can also lead to more reckless driving. They often think that they are invincible, and this attitude can lead to speeding and other dangerous behaviors.
Inexperienced drivers also may break traffic laws or misjudge the speed of other vehicles on the road. For example, if a child drives through a puddle and the car begins to hydroplane, a teenager might panic and lose control of the vehicle and forget essential rules of the road such as speed limits or signaling.
Distractions
Another reason for teen car accidents is often the result of a distraction. Teens have a lot on their minds – schoolwork, friends, relationships, and so on – and it’s easy to become distracted while driving. Teens are also distracted by their cell phones when behind the wheel. Other distractions can lead to severe collisions, including eating and drinking while driving, adjusting the radio, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system, or grooming while driving.
Risky Behavior
Immaturity and risk-taking behavior are other factors that cause teen car accidents. Many teens feel invincible and don’t think about consequences until it’s too late. The combination of inexperienced driving, newfound freedom, and lack of parental supervision creates a recipe for disaster. Inexperienced drivers don’t have good car control skills or judgment on handling bad weather conditions or what to do when another driver cuts them off.
Negligence
Teenagers often fail to drive with care and attention or fail to follow basic safety rules such as maintaining a safe speed and following distance, wearing a seatbelt, checking mirrors frequently, wearing prescription glasses or contacts if needed, and driving sober.
Failure To Yield
Young drivers are more likely than older drivers to cause accidents by failing to yield the right of way when they should have done so. Young drivers may misjudge their own ability to stop quickly or navigate safely around curves at high speeds. They may also be too aggressive in passing other vehicles or taking shortcuts through intersections or stop signs which causes serious accidents when they collide with oncoming traffic.
Financial Liability of the At-Fault Teen and Parents in Atlanta
When you get in an accident while a teen is behind the wheel, you have a legal right to receive compensation. However, it can make it hard for you to recover damages if they suffer injuries. Fortunately, most states will allow you to file a claim against the teen driver’s parents for vicarious liability. Vicarious liability allows the victims of teen driver negligence to recover from the teen’s parents to cover the costs of injuries and damages. And to help you get the entitled compensation, our attorneys can help you a great deal.
While every state has a different law, the general legal standard for establishing a teenager’s negligence is similar. In order to have a successful claim against a teenage driver, you will need to show they were negligent and that your negligence caused or contributed to your injury.
Negligence can be established by proving the teen driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty of care and your harm was the result. A few examples of deviating from the standard of care include texting, driving recklessly, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or failing to react appropriately to dangerous situations on the road.
Educating Teens About Safe Driving
We all want to raise our children well and ensure they are safe. And while your teen may now be an experienced driver, they do not have a lot of experience in making decisions that could result in the life-altering tragedy of a car accident. The good news is if you can get them to comply with some basic rules, you’ll go a long way toward reducing the likelihood they’ll be involved in an automobile crash. Here are six ways to help you keep your teen safe as they learn to drive.
- Make sure they get the best driver’s education possible.
- Establish some rules and consequences they need to abide by while driving.
- Teach your teen how to be a defensive driver.
- Enforce limits on how many passengers your teen can carry as a new driver.
- Teach them never to drink and drive and never get in the car with someone drinking and driving.
- Have ongoing conversations about driving safety – no matter how old they get.
Consult with Seasoned Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys at the CEO Lawyer
If you have been in a car accident involving a driver between the ages of sixteen and eighteen years old, it is in your best interest to contact an Atlanta teenager car accident lawyer to discuss the specifics of your case. Injuries from teen car accidents can be especially severe and impact your future life.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm have extensive experience with the complex legal issues arising from car accidents. We can advise you on the best course of action for your case. Set up your free consultation with our injury and accident attorneys by calling us at (470) 323-8779 or contact us online.
