Teenage Driving and Fatal Car Accidents
Obtaining a driver’s license is one of the happiest moments in a teenager’s life. It is an important milestone, giving teenagers feelings of independence and freedom. However, the ability to transport oneself from place to place without adult supervision is a privilege that must be taken seriously.
For many Americans, driving a motor vehicle is the most dangerous activity performed each day. It is a huge responsibility which requires good judgment at all times. Unfortunately, the teenage driving population is one of the smallest groups of drivers but accounts for the largest amount of fatalities. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the most common causes of fatalities amongst teenagers. Losing a loved one in a motor vehicle accident is a devastating and traumatizing experience. It is even more unfortunate when the accident was the result of a set of circumstances that could have been avoided.
Common Causes of Teenage Accidents
Reports suggest that teenagers are significantly more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident. Many accidents can be linked to the following negligent driving acts:
- Speeding: Speeding is a common occurrence amongst teenage drivers. Many teenagers do not properly plan the driving time it takes to get to their destinations including school, work, or extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, teenagers try to make up time while they are on the road. Others simply do not pay as much attention to their speed, believing that they have full control of their vehicle.
- Drinking and driving: Although the law provides that no person under the age of 21 shall consume alcoholic beverages, teenage drinking is a widespread problem throughout the United States.
- Cell phone usage: Teenagers are living in the day and age of technology. However, accessibility to cell phones and the ability to have consistent instantaneous communication at any time of the day presents a huge problem at controlling and monitoring usage. There has been a unified approach to stopping cell phone usage while by legislatures, manufacturers, and cell phone providers alike. Installation of cellular phone applications that prohibit texting while driving and new vehicle models that include hands free calling as a standard feature are meant to help decrease cell phone usage while driving. However, combating this issue requires teenagers to exercise good judgment.
- Driving while drowsy: Driving while you are tired decreases the ability to maintain a level of alertness. Tiredness, combined with the added complexity of nighttime driving creates an extremely dangerous situation for the teenager and other drivers on the road. A teenager may be liable if they are traveling outside of the permitted hours of vehicle operation.
If your loved one has lost their life in a motor vehicle accident due to another teenager’s negligence, you may have a wrongful death claim. While compensation will never be able to replace your loved one, it can help ease the financial burden that is unexpectedly placed on a family. The attorneys at Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. in Port St. Lucie want you to obtain the compensation you deserve. To determine whether you have a claim, contact Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. to schedule an initial consultation.
