When you hand over your keys to your teenager, you may feel excited and scared. And you have every reason to wait up based on the statistics. Teen drivers are at a high risk of causing or being involved in car crashes. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 16 and 17 year older teenage drivers are more likely to get into a car accident then adults. Additionally, motor vehicle crashes have become the leading cause of death and disability for teenagers in the United States. And unfortunately, most of these crashes occur based on critical errors on the new drivers.
These errors include:
- Lack of scanning needed to detect and respond on time to hazards
- Speeding fast on dangerous road conditions
- Texting
- Other distractions, such as friends in the car
These critical errors can be prevented with quality supervision by parents of driving practices by parents who can aid in helping the teenager in gaining the experience and developing driving skills as needed. For assistance with filing a civil claim after a collision involving an inexperienced driver, work with an Arlington Heights teenage car accident lawyer.
Common Types of Teenage Driver Collisions in Arlington Heights
Most common types of crashes involve left turns, tailgating, and running off the road. This could be due to the fact that a majority of the newly licensed teen drivers receive their permits while lacking skills to drive on the road, leading to a higher risk of crashing compared to more experienced drivers. Driver inexperience is a common cause of accidents because the teenagers who receive their driver’s licenses are not properly equipped to face the dangers of the roads, and crash risks are particularly high during the first month of earning license.
Distracted Driving and Your Teenager
Distracted driving is also a major factor of teen vehicle crashes. Examples of distracted driving include:
- Taking your eyes and mind off the road
- Eating
- Talking on the phone
- Switching between radio stations or changing songs on your a Bluetooth enabled device
- Engaging in conversations with the passenger
- Texting while driving
Additionally, distracted driving becomes even more dangerous during the nighttime when visibility is limited.
How to Reduce the Risk of Injury for a Teenage Driver
Research has proven that wearing seat belts significantly reduces the risk of fatal and serious injuries in car accidents. This includes accidents involving teenage drivers. Reports say that teenager are more likely to not wear a seat belt while driving. Parents and adults must share the importance of the rules of driving and regulations to keep young drivers safe on the road.
Call an Arlington Heights Teenage Car Accident Attorney Today
If you know someone who has been injured in a teen driving accident or you have been the victim of teen driving accident, contact an attorney for legal assistance. The Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. has over 30 years of experience handling car accident cases. For a free consultation, call us today. Our Arlington Heights teenage car accident lawyers can review your case and discuss your legal options.