Studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that teenage driving accidents are often caused by speeding, distractions, inexperience, and driving under the influence. One of the common causes of these accidents is texting and driving, despite most states passing legislation that bans cell phone use behind the wheel. In fact, texting while driving increases the risk of a teen crashing by 23 times.
Passengers Can Be the Distraction that Leads to an Accident
Teen drivers may be more likely to drive recklessly when they have other teenage passengers inside the vehicle. As such, teens may be more likely to get in fatal accidents when they have more passengers in the vehicle, compared to driving alone. The more passengers in the vehicle, the more likely it is that the teenage driver will engage with them or become distracted by their behavior.
Overall, teenage drivers are more likely to get in accidents for several main reasons. They have less experience on the road, and their decision-making skills may not yet be fully developed. Generally speaking, adult drivers better understand the possible dangers of driving, and they have more experience maneuvering on the roadway. When you consider all these contributing factors, including biological factors, it is much easier to understand what causes teenage driving accidents.
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Fatalities from Teen Driving Accidents
Data from the NHTSA shows that 2,121 people were killed in teenage driving accidents in 2018, accounting for drivers between the age of 15 and 18. These numbers are not unusual. Every year, thousands of innocent victims are killed in accidents involving teenage drivers.
While reckless driving, such as speeding, is certainly a large contributing factor to many fatal teenage driving accidents, some of the most dangerous behaviors involve distracted driving and drunk driving. When drivers take their minds off the road ahead, they cannot properly slow down or make safe maneuvers to prevent accidents from occurring.
Drivers can be held accountable for their negligence when they cause life-altering accidents, no matter the age of the offender. When a teen driver’s negligence causes an accident, or another driver causes an accident with a teen, the at-fault driver could be held responsible for their carelessness.
If you are looking to take legal action after an accident involving a teen driver, a personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice.
Teenage Drivers Often Drive Aggressively
Teenage drivers often drive aggressively for several reasons. They may enjoy the thrill of reckless driving, they do not think anything bad will happen, or they do not understand the seriousness of their behavior—or some combination of these factors.
While teenage drivers may be old enough to know right from wrong, they may not yet be fully capable of appreciating the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, even though their age plays a role in these aggressive behaviors, all drivers are taught the rules of the road before they are allowed to obtain a driver’s license.
Some of the most common examples of aggressive driving include:
- Tailgating
- Cutting off drivers or making illegal passes
- Driving on the shoulder of the road
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for roadway conditions
- Speeding up instead of yielding for vehicles with the right of way
- Running red lights
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Get Help After a Teenage Driving Accident with the Lawyers at Morris Bart, LLC
Every state has unique statutes of limitations that limit the amount of time you have to take legal action after a teen driving accident. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can help you understand your legal options. To get started with your free consultation today, contact a representative at the Morris Bart law firm at (504) 613-4771.
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to find a Morris Bart office near you.