The truth is that teens have a very high crash rate. It’s not always popular with teens to bring this subject up, as they may feel like it stereotypes them when they’re trying to drive safely, but the statistics do not lie. The crash rate is higher than for other age groups, and this is reflected in things like higher insurance premiums for teen drivers.
But let’s step away from the statistics for a moment, as harping on the crash rate isn’t going to change it. Instead, let’s take a look at why these accidents happen. Some of the main reasons include:
- Driving at night
- Getting distracted by friends in the car
- Using a cellphone behind the wheel
- Driving too quickly
- Drinking and driving
These issues are all listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but the main thing that they note is inexperience. They specifically lay out how the crash rate within a few months of getting a license is higher than at any other time. These other factors all play a role, but it is the lack of time behind the wheel that really makes accidents more likely.
How do we fix that? That’s the question, and it’s a difficult one because teens have to drive to gain experience. If they cause accidents while gaining that experience, it is unexpected and yet potentially tragic. It leads to injuries and even fatalities for those in other cars. If you get injured in such an accident, or if you lose a loved one, you need to know about all of your legal options. You have every right to expect compensation for things like your lost wages, medical bills and more.
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