If you’re like most parents, you probably felt mixed emotions when your child became a licensed driver. Not having to chauffeur your teen around town might have been a welcomed change, but no parents like to think about their children being injured in a car accident.
Unfortunately, even if your teen behaves responsibly behind the wheel, young drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions due to their inexperience. There are several ways to help your teen avoid accidents and injuries, such as buying a safe vehicle and leading by example, but all it takes is one drunk, distracted, or negligent motorist to cause a wreck that injures your child.
If you or your child suffered an injury in a crash that another driver caused, turn to the Truman Law Firm P.C. Ronald W. Truman will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a personal injury claim. You may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Call 435-986-2222 today to schedule a free consultation with an injury lawyer in Utah.
Let’s examine five car accident statistics that your teen should know:
- Transporting Two or More Peer Passengers Triples Your Teen’s Risk of Being Involved in a Deadly Wreck
This stat was published by Teen Driver Source. Male teenagers are also six times more likely to execute an illegal maneuver and twice as likely to behave aggressively when carrying a peer passenger.
- Car Accidents Kill Approximately 11,000 Teens Annually
This stat also comes from Teen Driver Source. Another 326,000 teenagers are injured in collisions each year.
- Seatbelt Use Is Lowest Among Teens Compared to All Other Age Groups
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teenagers are less likely to wear their seatbelts than older drivers. Buckling up reduces the risk of dying or sustaining a serious crash-related injury by about half.
- Nearly Half of All Collisions Involving Teens Stem from Three Factors
The following driver errors cause about half of all wrecks involving teenage drivers:
- Distracted driving;
- Speeding; or
- Failing to survey the road ahead.
- At Night, the Likelihood of Being Involved in a Deadly Accident Is Three Times Higher
This stat comes from Geico, and it applies to motorists of all ages. Do not let your teen drive at night until he or she has earned your trust.
Although these statistics might encourage your teen to drive safely, some accidents are simply unavoidable. If your child falls victim to a negligent driver, contact the Truman Law Firm P.C. to discuss your options for recovering compensation.
Ronald W. Truman graduated in the top 10 percent of his class from Brigham Young University. He has the highest legal rating offered by Martindale-Hubbell—an AV Preeminent rating (5.0 out of 5.0). Call 435-986-2222 to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury attorney in Utah. You can learn more about car accident lawsuits by visiting USAttorneys.com.
