Car Accidents…
There are very few tragedies worse for a California family than the loss of a loved one unexpectedly. When a car accident injury is the cause, it’s natural for that family to want accountability. It may be that another driver is to blame or the loved one bears some responsibility. Either way, an investigation will ensue.
When a case to seek compensation is the choice made, building the claim will require careful review of all of the circumstances surrounding the car accident. Regardless of whether a teenager is the victim or the at-fault driver, the investigation will likely scrutinize his or her behaviors as a driver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides some interesting information about teen drivers. Sadly, one of the most salient facts is that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States.
Statistics show young people between 15 and 24 years of age represent about 14 percent of the population in this country. Even so, they account for 30 percent of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males, and 28 percent among females. Roughly seven 16- to 19-year-olds die every day in these accidents.
The CDC created a list of danger zones applicable to teen drivers. The reason is that accidents are preventable if consideration is given to these behaviors. They include the obvious – driver inexperience – but also things like distracted driving, not using seat belts, reckless, drowsy or impaired driving and having teen passengers along for the ride. All of these potential accident-causing factors, except inexperience, are choices.
Helping our young drivers fully grasp the risks their actions might involve to themselves and others may prevent a tragedy. In addition to insurance review, legal action relating to a teen driver will almost certainly include in-depth investigation of any contributing dangerous behaviors.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Teen Drivers: Get the Facts” accessed Mar. 04, 2015
