Auto wrecks are not exclusive experiences to just one age group—they can happen to anybody at any time on the road. But data shows that some age groups are more prone to getting into accidents than others. According to the AAA Foundation, drivers under 17 are involved in the most crashes each year, and their crash rate is almost double those of ages 18 to 19, and almost five times the crash rate of adults in the 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 59 age groups.
Young drivers don’t have the experience that older drivers have behind the wheel, and it can lead to more collisions when they drive. They might take greater risks because they’ve never been in that particular driving scenario before and panic, speed because they think they need to get somewhere quickly rather than safely, or follow another car too closely because they don’t realize how much room they need to leave to stop in an emergency.
No matter your age, a car accident is scary, and you might not know who to turn to. An injury lawyer from Golden Law Office can help you through this turbulent and confusing time in your life. We can help you recover well-deserved compensation for your injuries and damages.
The Dangers of Young Drivers
Everyone was young once, and everyone started out as a new driver, so it’s easy to understand the risks involved with teenage drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), male teens, teens with passengers who are their peers, and newly licensed drivers are more likely to get into a motor vehicle crash than other teens. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that teenagers drive less than most people, but their crash and crash death rates are disproportionately high.
In general, teen drivers are at a higher risk of getting into car accidents because:
- They’re inexperienced
- They’re more likely to speed
- They’re less likely to wear seat belts
- Teen passengers distract them
- Any amount of alcohol greatly influences them
- They drive more recklessly and make riskier decisions
- They’re not used to driving at night
- They don’t understand the dangers of driving drowsy
Any of these factors alone can lead to a car accident, and any combination of them can easily turn into a deadly situation. The CDC reports that about 300,000 teens aged 16 to 19 were admitted to the emergency room for injuries from car wrecks in 2017, and over 2,000 of those teens died, as crashes were the second leading cause of death for teenagers in that year.
The best way to prevent teenage driver accidents is for parents to ride along for more driving experience, or for teens to enroll in a driving course that offers plenty of class time on the road. As a parent, you should share as many driving tips to your child as you can, as well as instill in them that driving can be dangerous and requires their full attention. Although this won’t help for every teen, every little bit of awareness can make an impact.
Golden Law Office Will Represent You
If a negligent driver of any age collided with you and caused injuries and damages, you could benefit from representation from Golden Law Office. We offer free case evaluations, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us. You deserve to be compensated for the bills and pain that they have caused you, so reach out to us today so that we can get started on your case.
