For teens, driving typically makes them feel one step closer to freedom and independence. Unfortunately, teens have not developed the same amount of driving experience and responsibility as adults. It comes as no surprise, then, that the number of teen drivers involved in car crashes is high.
The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports, in fact, that 3,255 teen drivers were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2017. This number does not consider the thousands of others who were indirectly impacted by the auto accident.
If your teen driver suffered injuries in a car wreck, you have the right to hold the negligent driver responsible for their behavior. The Morris Bart law firm is here to help you recover your losses.
We offer a free case review to help you understand your options for recovering compensation after your child’s wreck. We also work on a contingency fee basis only, which means we do not take anything upfront or out of pocket. We receive payment only if we are successful in the personal injury case. To speak to a Covington teen driving accident lawyer, call (800) 537-8185 today.
Common Behaviors of Teen Drivers that Cause Accidents
Ultimately, most accidents involving teenagers are the result of the driver’s inexperience. However, there are a few specific types of behaviors that teens are particularly susceptible to, including:
Drowsy Driving
Many teens stay up late at night working, socializing, or studying. They are often up early in the morning for school, leading them to be chronically sleep-deprived. Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous, though. It impacts the teen driver’s ability to focus on the road, their ability to react quickly if they need to suddenly brake or steer, and their ability to make good decisions.
Distracted Driving
Smartphones make teens particularly susceptible to distracted driving. The NHTSA reports that one in three teens who text say they have sent a text message while operating a moving vehicle. Unfortunately, this is the worst kind of distraction, as it involves taking their focus and eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that when a driver sends a text message and takes their eyes off the road for just five seconds while driving at 55 miles per hour, they have driven the length of a football field, without ever looking at the road. It is no surprise that nine people are killed every day and over 1,000 injured because of distracted driving accidents.
Drinking and Driving
According to the CDC, teens are more likely than other age groups to be killed in alcohol-related accidents. Though you must be 21 to consume alcohol in every state, 15% of drivers who were between the ages of 16 and 20 and were involved in a collision had a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
Speeding
Teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to speed. When drivers choose to drive at excessive speeds, they shorten the amount of time that they have to react if traffic suddenly slows or stops. They also increase the amount of damage that occurs and the likelihood of severe personal injuries or fatalities.
Inexperience
As mentioned at the beginning, most of these behaviors are the result of inexperience and immaturity. However, inexperience itself is often a direct cause of accidents. Teens are more likely to make critical errors while driving than adult drivers, which can cause serious accidents.
If your teenager was hurt because of a wreck, you have the right to pursue compensation. Contact the Morris Bart law firm at (800) 537-8185 for a free review of your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Teen Driving Accident lawyer serving Covington, call 800-537-8185
Laws that May Impact Your Teenager’s Driving Accident Case
There are two laws that may impact your teen driving accident claim: the statute of limitations and the law of comparative negligence. According to Louisiana law governing the statute of limitations (Civil Code 3492), you have only one year from the date of your teen’s car accident to recover compensation for their injuries. That means if you wait longer than one year, you will typically be barred from recovering any type of personal injury compensation your child deserves.
Louisiana also has a comparative fault law under Civil Code Article 2323. This law means if your teenage driver contributed to the accident at all, the damages will be reduced by the degree to which they were at fault. In other words, if your teenager is found to be 10% responsible for the driving accident, any compensation the court awards will be reduced by 10%. Defense lawyers often use this tactic to claim that the other driver was more responsible for the accident than they may be. However, a teen driving accident attorney can help defend against tactics like these.
Possible Recoverable Damages from an Accident
Some common types of damages that may be recoverable after a teen driving accident include:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Dismemberment or disfigurement
- Property damage
If your loved one did not survive because of the seriousness of their injuries, you may be entitled to:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of support and protection
These are just a few of the possible damages that may be awarded.
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Find Out How a Covington Teen Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help
A teen driving accident attorney serving Covington can help by gathering evidence, calculating the total value of your child’s personal injury claim, building a strong case, and negotiating with the defense team. If we cannot reach a fair settlement out of court, we will not hesitate to take the case to trial if we believe the award should be higher.
For a free, no-risk review or to have us get to work right away, contact the Morris Bart law firm at (800) 537-8185.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
