Your teen driver may look for any reason to get behind the wheel, whether it’s running to the grocery store or just a quick trip to the gas station. Even these relatively minor daily occurrences can cause anxiety for any parent and raise concerns as to their teens’ safety behind the wheel. Rightfully so! There are some common reasons why a teen could cause a motor vehicle accident compared to older, more experienced drivers.
Top 4 Causes of Teen Car Accidents
Getting in a car accident can happen to anyone, but according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it’s evident that teenagers are unfortunately susceptible to car crashes. Based on a 2019 CDC report, around 258,000 teens were treated for injuries related to car accidents that year.
That’s a massive number we’d like to see go down. Let’s examine the top 4 causes of teen car crashes that we encounter through clients at Genthe Law Firm.
Distracted Driving
If a teen is distracted by other teen passengers, they could cause a car accident. As one may suspect, the more teen passengers in the car, the greater the risk of a motor vehicle accident. Teens chatting with passengers often do not pay attention to the road. Sadly, friendly distractions can easily lead to a fatal collision.
Similarly, if a teen is distracted by checking their cellphone, eating, or changing the music, they could cause a motor vehicle accident.
Distractions are common among drivers of any age, but the number of fatal distracted driving accidents is greater amongst drivers under age 21 versus drivers age 21 or older.
Speeding
If a teen is speeding, it is possible they could cause a car crash. Teens are more apt to speed than older motorists. Speeding can easily cause a motor vehicle accident, making it difficult to handle road conditions, navigate around other drivers in a safe manner and stop in time to avoid a crash.
Road Hazards
If a teen fails to look out for hazards on the road such as potholes or construction cones, they could cause a motor vehicle accident. Often this failure is chalked up to inexperience. If a collision occurs due to driver error and it involves a teen, statistically speaking it is more likely that the teen caused the error versus the other driver.
How Inexperience Plays a Role
As this shows, there are many reasons why a teen driver could cause a crash. While some of these reasons are common amongst drivers of any age, teen drivers are inexperienced and naïve and thus may be more apt to engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel. Due to these reasons, it is vital to discuss driver safety with your teen in order to prevent teen motor vehicle accidents.
Recoup Financial Damages for Your Pain and Suffering Today with Genthe Law Firm
If you or a loved one were recently injured in an accident, it’s time to reach out to a personal injury lawyer for help. Hospital bills and potentially lost wages can quickly add up and put your family into debt. At Genthe Law Firm, our Dallas Injury Accident Attorneys, fight against guilty third parties and insurance companies to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
