While it’s true that the only way to get better at driving is to do it, that doesn’t diminish the fact that teenage drivers’ lack of experience and skill puts everyone in danger on the roadways, especially since they tend to take unnecessary risks they can’t back up with expertise.
It probably won’t surprise you to know that teens’ risk of getting into accidents is far higher than that of experienced drivers. Research regarding teenage drivers reveals some alarming data.
The statistics
The following information could make you think twice about driving next to the teenagers in the vehicles around you:
- Around 75 percent of crashes involving teens occurred due to the following critical errors:
- Driving too fast for road conditions
- Failing to continuously scan for hazards
- Paying more attention to distractions inside and outside the vehicle
- Inexperience causes more teen crashes than aggressive driving
- It takes anywhere between 1,000 and 1,500 miles of driving for the accident risk to drop
- Factors that raise the risk of teen crashes include the following:
- Driving drunk or drugged
- Driving distracted
- Driving drowsy
- Speeding
- The more supervised driving a teen gets, the less the risk for crashing
Even though there is no way to avoid sharing the road with inexperienced teen drivers, understanding what factors lead to many of the accidents involving them may help identify problems as you drive.
The aftermath
If you are involved in an accident with a teenage driver and suffer injuries as a result, you may be able to pursue compensation for the financial losses you incur during your recovery. For instance, your medical expenses and lost income alone could cause you serious monetary losses, depending on your injuries and how long your recovery takes.
If your injuries prevent you from returning to the same job you had prior to the accident, dealing with daily tasks or enjoying activities you participated in prior to the accident, your life may never be the same. In addition to the above monetary losses, you may also be able to pursue compensation for damages associated with the crash and your injuries.
Filing personal injury claims in accidents in which a teenager is at fault may be problematic if the teen is still a minor. In cases such as these, it may be a good idea to consult with a Georgia attorney to help ensure your chances of achieving your desired outcome.