Teen Car Accidents

Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that on an annual basis, approximately 2,000 teenagers are killed in car accidents, and 200,000 more are injured. 5,000 teenage drivers are involved in fatal crashes each year.

Whether you’re a young driver injured in a car crash, a parent of a teen who has been in a car accident, or someone who has been hit by a young motorist, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel for a free consultation. Our law firm proudly serves New York, the upper Hudson Valley, Westchester County, and surrounding areas from our White Plains office and our satellite office in Peekskill. When you’re injured, turn to us for an honest evaluation of your case and your options for compensation.

Why Do Teen Car Accidents Happen?

Teenage drivers are four times more likely to be charged with traffic violations. There is no question that a huge factor in these statistics is the explosion in usage of electronic devices, and particularly, the increasing practice of texting, reading, and sending emails, and speaking on handheld cell phones. We have all observed drivers weaving in and out of lanes, or driving erratically, and often, use of electronic devices is the reason.

Additionally, teenage drivers often fail to recognize the risks in certain driving situations, such as in inclement weather or on interstate highways where there are tractor trailers which require a much greater time and distance to stop or to move to another lane if necessary. Overall, young motorists have less experience behind the wheel, and may simply make errors that more experienced drivers tend not to make.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) there are several factors that cause teenage drivers to be at risk and to be involved in a greater frequency of accidents, including:

• Failing to obey traffic regulations, such as speed limits and following too closely. At higher speeds, teenage drivers are often not aware that it takes more time and distance to stop their car. For example, at 65 miles per hour, a car travels about 95 feet in one second;

• Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs;
• Driving while engaged in distractions such as sending or receiving texts or emails;
• Driving while speaking on a handheld cell phone;
• Overestimating their driving abilities or underestimating the risks of the driving conditions or roadway configuration;
• Driving while there are too many passengers in the vehicle and paying too much attention to these passengers;
• Overly loud music or adjusting the radio while driving.

At the Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, our car accident lawyers in White Plains have the necessary experience and knowledge to handle cases involving serious injuries and fatalities in auto accident cases. When our clients are involved in serious accidents, we recognize that they are dealing with the pain of these tragedies, and rely on our experience and dedication to make sure they are fully compensated for their injuries, including pain and suffering, medical and hospital bills and expenses, and lost earnings, both past and future.

Our team works with expert independent board certified medical consultants as well as investigators, engineers, expert witnesses, and other professionals who can find out what really happened in your accident and who can support us as we build a strong case.

How Are Teen Car Accidents Different?

There are numerous issues which arise when the driver of the car that caused injuries is a young driver, including whether the teen driver resides with parents, and whether there is additional insurance coverage by way of either excess or underinsurance coverage in the event that the teen driver is underinsured with a minimal liability policy. In some cases, teen drivers are newly insured or may be covered by a parent’s policy, especially while they are still learning to drive. The car driven by the young driver may also be owned by a parent, adding complexity to the claims process.

There also may be other potentially negligent parties, for example, when the driver is intoxicated and may have been at a bar or club where he or she was served an excessive amount of alcohol. In this instance, there can be a potential claim against the bar owner under what is known as a “Dram Shop” claim, if the bar or club owner served an underage driver or served alcohol to a person who they knew to be intoxicated. Pursuing all liable parties and working with an experienced car accident attorney gives you the best chance of securing fair compensation.

If you are a teen driver in your first accident or the parent of a teen driver who has been injured in a car collision, it’s also important to consult with a car collision attorney as soon as possible. In this situation, it’s not uncommon for a teen driver to be blamed for the collision. An experienced attorney can launch an investigation to determine what really caused the crash. If you as the younger driver weren’t responsible or if there were  other liable partiers, you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses, including car repairs, lost wages, and more.

When a young driver or teen passenger is injured in a traffic collision, the stakes are high, which is why it’s important to consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible. A young person who has suffered a serious, permanent injury, such as a spinal cord injury or head injury, may have their income potentially severely curtailed before they even launch their career. They may also be facing a lifetime of significantly elevated medical costs and insurance costs. Teens with serious, lifelong injuries may also experience a lower quality of life, a shortened life span, and future complications.

Insurers will typically fight hard to minimize payouts in these cases because of the high costs, and they have teams of top attorneys to try to deny your claim or pay less than you’ll need. A personal injury lawyer with experience in teen car accidents is prepared for insurers’ tactics and will fight back, aggressively pursuing compensation so you face the brightest future possible.

What To Do After an Accident

Young drivers sometimes don’t know what to do after a car accident, and the minutes after a crash can hurt their right to fair compensation later on. If you’re the parent or guardian of a new driver, or if you’re a new motorist yourself, remember these rules for what to do after any traffic crash:

• Stop and offer to call for help if anyone is injured.
• Call 911 if the other driver is aggressive, seems to be under the influence, or if anyone is seriously injured.
• Take photos of the accident scene.
• If you can, move your car to the side of the road (and make sure the other driver does the same) to prevent additional accidents.
• Don’t say anything at the scene, such as “I’m sorry” or “I just looked at my cell phone for a second.” Let lawyers figure out what caused your accident. You should only say things like “let’s exchange insurance information” and “Do you need me to call 911 or anyone else?” Talk as little as possible.
• Never sign anything or give statements before talking to a personal injury attorney.
• Get as much information as you can. Get contact information for any witnesses, write down what you remember.
• Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can.

If you or a loved one has been involved in car accident involving a teenage driver, or if you’re a young driver or the parent of a new driver who has been injured in a traffic crash, contact us online or call us at The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel for a free consultation. In your free consultation, you will discuss your case in detail with our experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated attorneys and find out what your options are.