Any car accident is a tense situation. Emotions run high as uncertainty hangs in the air. This is especially true when it’s a teen driver accident.
Chances are, it’s the first accident they’ve been involved in.
In addition to the questions and concerns everyone experiences, a teen driver is probably worried what their parents will do, what will happen to their car, and whether they’ll be allowed to drive again.
If you’re the adult in the situation, you may find yourself having to guide them as much as managing your own situation. It’s very important that you remain calm and take the appropriate actions. The same is true if you’re the parent of a teen driver who has been in an accident.
Today, we’ll be discussing what actions you should take after a teen driver accident, but first, let’s take a closer look at the reality of teens behind the wheel.
The Risk of Teen Drivers
There are approximately 8.6 million teenage drivers in the US. Though they make up just 3.6 percent of our country’s driving population, they account for 6.1 percent of accidents. We don’t want to be too hard on teens. After all, they have a lot going on, and they’re figuring it out along the way.
But the stats don’t lie; teen drivers are more likely to be in an accident than adult drivers.
Why? Like we said, teens are still figuring things out. This includes driving. They may have attained their license, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been in situations with bad weather, backed-up traffic, and other abnormal variables.
We’re taught how to drive in normal circumstances where roads are clear, and everyone is following the rules. When things go wrong, they simply haven’t learned how to react.
That said, it is more than a lack of experience that can result in a teen driver accident.
Other Causes of Teen Driver Accidents
The risk of teen drivers extends beyond their newness to driving. Other reasons for teen driver accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Phones, passengers, loud conversations, and other distractions can pull a teen driver’s attention away from the road. Even a brief moment of inattention can significantly increase the risk of a serious accident.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol and marijuana impair judgment, reaction time, and decision-making. Many teens underestimate the dangers of driving after using alcohol and/or marijuana, despite the increased crash risk.
- Reckless Driving: Teen drivers are generally more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as speeding, aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and showing off for passengers, all of which increase the likelihood of a collision.
- Night Driving: Reduced visibility makes nighttime driving more dangerous for all motorists. Combined with inexperience or other risky behaviors, driving after dark can substantially increase a teen driver’s chances of being involved in an accident.
If you’re the parent of a teenager driver, it’s important that you discuss these potential risks with them and how to best avoid them. It all starts with an open conversation about responsibility and consequences. It’s also important that you act as a responsible driver, particularly when they’re in your presence.
What to Do After a Teenage Driver Accident
Whether your teenager was involved in a car accident or you were an adult involved in an accident with a teen, the moments afterward can be overwhelming. It’s important that you don’t let your emotions take control, even in more serious accidents. You need to think clearly. After all, the steps you take immediately after the collision can have a significant impact on your health, your insurance claim, and your ability to move forward after the dust settles.
Here’s what to do after a car accident involving a teen…
1. Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Care
Your first priority should always be making sure everyone involved is safe. Check yourself, your passengers, and others for injuries. Call 911 immediately if anyone requires immediate medical attention. If you’re uncertain, it’s better to ere on the side of caution.
Don’t worry “how much will this cost” or “who is going to pay for this?” Take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Even if you don’t need an ambulance, you should also seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.
It doesn’t matter how minor your injuries may seem. Conditions such as whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries may not become noticeable until hours or even days after the crash. Prompt treatment not only protects your health, but it also creates medical documentation that connects your injuries to the accident.
2. Gather Evidence
If you’re physically able to do so, begin documenting the accident scene before vehicles are moved. Take photographs of both vehicles, any visible injuries, skid marks, traffic signs, road conditions, and anything else that may help explain how the collision occurred.
Be sure to exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. If they are a teen driver, they may be unfamiliar where they can find their insurance information. Have them check the glove box. If it’s not there, have them call a parent or guardian to check.
In any accident, you should contact the authorities. Again, it doesn’t matter how minor the accident may seem. Involving law enforcement creates an official record and can help deescalate the situation.
That said, you shouldn’t rely on authorities to gather all of the necessary details and evidence. It’s important that you gather your own. This includes the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw the accident.
3. Avoid Discussing Fault
It’s natural to want to explain what happened immediately after an accident, but it’s best to avoid making statements about who caused the collision. Even a simple apology can be interpreted as an admission of fault, despite the fact that the full circumstances may not yet be known.
Instead, stick to the facts when speaking with police officers, insurance representatives, and the teen driver. Let the investigation, witness statements, and physical evidence determine fault.
This is particularly important in accidents involving teen drivers, where inexperience may become a factor but does not automatically mean the teenager caused the crash.
4. Speak With an Attorney
Teen driver accidents can become complicated, especially when injuries, disputed liability, or significant property damage are involved. Insurance companies may attempt to settle quickly or shift blame in an effort to reduce what they have to pay.
Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights, evaluate the value of your claim, and avoid mistakes that could impact your ability to recover compensation. Whether you’re the parent of an injured teen or an adult who was involved in an accident with a young driver, having legal guidance allows you to focus on recovery while someone else handles the complexities of the claims process.
The Richards Firm Can Help Navigate a Difficult Situation
Car accidents are complicated, especially when involving teen drivers. The last thing you want to do is put a young driver in a difficult spot that affects their future. However, it’s also important they learn responsibility and that you receive the compensation you’re legally owed.
You need a personal approach that understands the delicacy of the situation while prioritizing your individual needs. This is where The Richards Firm comes in.
The Richards Firm was founded to make the legal system more accessible to our local community. We care about safety and order in your community because we live in that same community. Whether you’ve been involved in an accident with a teen or you’re the parent of a teen involved in an accident, we’re here to answer your questions, guide your decisions, and help you achieve the best outcome possible.
With The Richards Firm, your initial consultation is always free, and should you move forward with our services, you only pay if we win your case.
If you’d to schedule your free consultation, or you’d like to receive a free case review, click here or give us a call at 513-461-0084.
