Thousands of teens hit the road for the first time every year in Louisiana. Unfortunately, teen drivers are inexperienced – and this leads to them to be more likely to get into accidents.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified that vehicular accidents are a leading cause of teen deaths – and it’s been estimated that 2400 will be due every year. Beyond that, there are hundreds of thousands of ER visits because of teen drivers.
Teens are often dangerous – and if they cause an accident where you’re injured, it’s important to know that you can turn to a New Orleans lawyer to help you seek financial compensation. It can ensure that you’re able to hold the driver responsible while being able to get your injuries appropriately taken care of.
Top Reasons Why Teen Drivers are Dangerous
According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, inexperience and immaturity are the leading reasons for teen drivers being so dangerous on the roadways.
Often, teens will partake in risk-taking behaviors. They may speed, fail to use a seatbelt, and even consume alcohol behind the wheel. This is done because they’re trying to impress their friends or because they assume that they’re invincible. Unfortunately, it often takes an accident to remind them that they, too, can get into accidents.
In 2019, there were 78 fatal crashes involving those between the ages of 15 and 20 and 84 between the ages of 21 and 24. This means that it’s not necessarily the youngest drivers making the mistakes.
The Highway Safety Commission has focused heavily on distracted driving campaigns. This includes reducing the music volume, putting the phone down, and limiting the number of passengers in a car.
The state also has Graduated Drivers Licensing Laws. This includes waiting periods and age requirements to help teens gain more supervision on the roads.
The goal is for teens to gain as much supervision as possible before they gain a full license so that they aren’t a danger on the roads.
Ways for Teen Drivers to Be Safe on the Roads
Teens have to work to be safe on the roads. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has estimated that over 50% of teen car accidents are because of distracted driving. However, accidents can occur for many other reasons:
- Bad weather
- Road debris
- Mechanical malfunction
- Human error
The good news is that there are ways to keep Louisiana teens safer when they get behind the wheel of a car.
Safe Cars on the Road
There are some incredibly safe cars, trucks, and SUVs on the road. Ones that are outfitted with top safety features can help to prevent accidents. Top manufacturers are outfitting vehicles with emergency automatic braking, back-up cameras, and various other sensors that can prevent a collision.
US News & World Report publishes a report every year that lists the best cars for teen drivers. These are identified based on safety ratings, safety features, and reviews.
It’s also a good idea for a teen to test drive the car so that they feel comfortable. Many accidents happen because teens are in cars where they don’t have good visibility and they lack confidence on the road.
Driver Safety Courses
Driver safety courses can be taken, too. Many schools will offer defensive driving courses to students. This way, if a student doesn’t get a driver’s education in school or they want to go above and beyond, they can take courses.
Parents should encourage students to enroll in driver safety courses. It will teach them ways to be more defensive on the road and identify the dangers of distracted driving.
Learning the “Hard Way”
Some teen drivers won’t learn until they’ve caused an accident. They may have to watch their friends get hauled away in an ambulance before they realize that they need to be more cautious on the road. They may have to go through a civil case where an injured party seeks money for damages and injuries.
While it may be disheartening to find out that it was a distracted teen driver that caused the accident, you have no choice but to hold them accountable. They have insurance – and it will be what is needed to take care of all that is going on with you. Medical bills, therapy, and more may be necessary, and you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket when it was someone else’s fault for causing the accident.
Injured by a Teen Driver?
Although many accidents are as a result of a teen driver, it’s not always a given. A full investigation may need to be conducted to determine fault.
If you were injured by a teen driver, it’s important to take all of the necessary steps. You’ll want to call the police from the scene to get a police report. Then, you’ll want to exchange insurance information. Seek medical attention immediately for any of your injuries.
By calling a personal injury lawyer in Louisiana right away, it’s a chance to get help with the necessary steps. A negligent driver may owe you money for medical bills, lost income, and more. You’ll want to file the necessary paperwork so that you can seek all that you are eligible for as opposed to settling immediately with the insurance company.
Schedule a Legal Consultation Today
Teen drivers are still licensed. This means that they’re still to be held to the same standard as every other driver on the road. If their negligence led to an accident where you were injured, you have rights.
At Allan Berger & Associates, our professional lawyers can work with you to determine if you have a case. It may be possible for you to seek financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact our law firm to get help with an accident involving a teen driver in New Orleans today. Call us at 504-526-2222 or fill out the contact form on our website. We’ll schedule a consultation so you can explore your legal options in depth.
