Teenagers in Missouri will be hitting the roads this summer to get to a summer job, run errands for their parents and go to parties. However, teenagers do not have the maturity or experience that older drivers have and might make poor choices that lead to car accidents. In fact, AAA has coined the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” for teen drivers.
Crashes involving teen drivers see an uptick in the summer
AAA has found that the summer months see an uptick in teen accident rates. The top deadliest causes of crashes involving teens in the summer months are drunk driving at 17%, speeding at 28% and distracted driving at 9%. This may be because there are simply more teen drivers on the road in summer. However, summer is not the only time of the year that teens drive negligently. The following are some ways teens can cause a car accident.
Teen car accidents are not limited to the summer months
Year-round, approximately 60% of teen motor vehicle accidents are caused by distracted driving. Teens may find it hard to ignore a text or phone call when behind the wheel. However, distracted driving can be considered a breach of a motorist’s duty to drive safely under the circumstances if it leads to a car crash.
Teens also generally have a sense of invincibility, that nothing bad could happen to them. This may lead some teens to drive after drinking. Drunk driving is dangerous for people of any age, and it can lead to catastrophic car accidents.
In addition, many teens, for one reason or another, will ignore the posted speed limit and will drive as fast as they want. They may even think speeding is fun. However, according to AAA, nearly 50% of teen respondents stated that the sped on a residential street in the past month, and 40% admitted to speeding on the highway. Speeding increases the chances of injuries and fatalities if it leads to an auto accident.
Attorneys can help those involved in a crash caused by a teen driver
Ultimately, an accident caused by a teen driver can cause another person to suffer injuries. In the worst of circumstances, a car crash caused by a teen driver in Missouri can lead to fatalities. While the aforementioned statistics may be informative, it is important to remember that each car accident is unique and should be treated as such. For this reason, it is important to seek the help of an attorney following a car crash who will focus on their client’s individual situation. Those who are involved in a motor vehicle accident will want to ensure they receive the maximum compensation they deserve. Having the representation of an attorney who will champion their rights following a car crash can be imperative.
