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Teen Driving Accidents

3 Habits Every Teenage Driver Should Cultivate to Prevent Car Accidents

June 22, 2021 by Christopher

Some simple tips can help teenage drivers decrease their chances of being involved in an automobile accident.

Establishing safe driving habits early on can save lives!

Statistics have shown that automobile accidents are the foremost reason for death among adolescents. The risk of being involved in automobile accidents is high within the first six months after adolescents receive their drivers’ license. More often than not, it is due to lack of experience and over-enthusiasm from perceived independence.

father teaching teenage son how to drive safely

Speeding, distraction, and failure to notice and respond to possible dangers are common reasons for teenage drivers’ accidents. The common reason for distraction among adolescents is texting and driving. Recent statistics indicate that around 30% of male drivers aged 15–20 years and 18% of female drivers aged 15–20 years involved in fatal crashes were speeding. The risk of drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 being involved in an automobile accident is four times higher than drivers in an older age group or drivers between the ages of 25 and 69.

Some simple tips can help teenage drivers decrease their chances of being involved in an automobile accident.

Check Your Surroundings

Experienced drivers are in the habit of checking all of their surroundings on the road. In addition to checking what is going on in front of and behind one’s vehicle, it is vital to check blind spots before switching lanes. When teenage drivers are aware of their surroundings, their chances of being involved in an accident decrease.

Monitor Your Speed

The main reason why speed limit notices are posted in some areas, such as exit ramps, is to ensure that inexperienced drivers are aware of the necessary speed that will allow them to safely exit ramps. A driver’s surroundings may change in an instant, making an unexpected stop necessary. For this and other reasons, it is important for all drivers to monitor their speed and ensure that they are well within the speed limit. It is also essential to teach adolescents how weather conditions can affect driving situations, such as rain or snow.

Remove Source of Distractions

Lives can be saved when parents have rules while driving. These rules include not using mobile phones or setting a maximum number of people inside the vehicle. Parents should establish probationary periods to ensure they gain enough experience to drive independently. Some authorities recommend that parents establish a six-month period before allowing their adolescent children to drive independently.

Evidence indicates that adolescent drivers whose parents establish regulations and provide supportive guidance are less likely to become involved in automobile accidents. Therefore if you are a parent, it is vital that you instill safe driving happens in your child. It could save not only their lives but the lives of others.

If, despite driving safely, you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney!

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Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Distracted Driving, Safe Driving, speeding, Teen Driving Accidents

7 Mistakes Teen Drivers Make That Can Lead to Car Accidents

March 23, 2020 by Christopher

Most teens in the US are eager to start their driving training and get their license. The minimum driving age with an unrestricted license in the United States is around 16-17 years old. This age usually coincides with big challenges specific to that age. Driving is most certainly influenced by the way teens socialize and spend their time.

Because this age group has such specific characteristics, it’s important to know what are the most common mistakes made by teen drivers and how to avoid them.

Forgetting the Rules of the Road

Because the rules are so fresh in their mind, teen drivers might have trouble remembering them. Rules are meant to make everybody on the road predictable to others and avoid collisions. Teens should make a habit out of recapping the rules of the road, making them more embedded in their minds.

Not Taking Proper Care of Their Car

Proper car maintenance is very important in minimizing accident risks. Teens are known to neglect car maintenance, because of forgetfulness, lack of money or other reasons. Adults should double-check if their teens are taking care of their car, and intervene when necessary.

Risk-taking

One of the age-specific mistakes teens make is to take risks that are too high. Risk-taking and impulsiveness are part of teenage behavior, which is why driving schools and parents should insist on explaining consequences and giving teens other ways of manifesting their impulses.

Drowsy Driving

Studying late, attending social events or just being a teen can make sleeping difficult. Sleep problems are common in teens, and their daily activities are not always scheduled to fit their delayed sleep. Because of this, many teens are tempted or forced to drive when tired, which increases the risk of accidents.

Speeding

One way teens manifest their love for the thrill is by driving fast. Sometimes, teens are given powerful cars that should be driven by more experienced persons. This can easily result in speeding. Combined with the lack of experience and the low reaction speed of beginner drivers, it can be deadly.

Using Their Mobile Devices While Driving

Teens use smartphones a lot to communicating and engaging with each other. Unfortunately, they are tempted to do so while driving. There are plenty of road safety apps that can limit the functions on mobile devices while the car is moving.

Having a Lot of Passengers at Once

Driving around with their friends is part of the fun of having a car. But having too many passengers in the car can be a major distraction for the driver, and can limit visibility for them. Teens should be firm in setting some rules when it comes to their car and how many passengers they have at once.

Driving is, indeed, a big milestone for any individual. To prevent fatal crashes and severe injuries, teens should be educated about the risks involved in driving a car, and what to do to minimize them.

If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, then the at-fault driver is responsible for paying compensation. Get in touch with a St. Louis car accident lawyer and let them review your case.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Teen Driving Accidents

Why Are Motor Vehicle Accidents the Top Killer of Teens?

January 21, 2019 by Christopher

Here are seven reasons teen car accidents are so common and what parents can do to prevent these accidents.

Something you may have heard before is that car crashes are among the top killers of teens. What you might not know is why that statistic is accurate.

distracted teen driver

Good Health

First, let’s get the non-driving reason out of the way. It is the fact that most teens do not have fatal health issues like heart disease or cancer. On the other end of the spectrum, they are also rarely at risk of passing away due to congenital disabilities. The result is a population that is in relatively good health and most often suffers from accidents, rather than disease.

Lack of Experience

Every hour you drive gives you a little bit more skill and experience. After a few years of doing so, you should have the ability to stay safe on the roads and evade hazards when needed. Unfortunately, teens usually don’t have much experience, and they get into dangerous situations as a result.

Recklessness

Research suggests that the brain doesn’t stop developing until a person’s mid-twenties. Perhaps not surprisingly, the last area to mature is the one that governs critical thinking. Simply put, teens tend to be reckless, and their behavior behind the wheel often reflects that.

Seat Belts

Teens often wear their seat belts less than adults, which increases their chances of fatality in a severe crash. While the reason why isn’t entirely clear, the most likely explanation is a reckless mindset. One thing you can do to raise your children’s chances of wearing a belt is wearing yours throughout their childhood. They will most likely model their behavior after you.

Peer Pressure

As reckless as teens can be, they are often reasonable when alone. When they get in a car with friends, though, that can change. Peer pressure makes them more likely to drive intoxicated, go too fast, and be unsafe in a variety of other ways.

Distraction

Anyone who is a parent to a teen knows that much of this population can’t go a few minutes without looking at their cell phones. That same habit often follows kids onto the roads, and they choose to text and drive as a result. Not only is this action illegal, but it could lead to an accident.

Intoxication

Lastly, teens frequently get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. Combining their lack of experience with intoxication can lead to dire results, and it often does. Additionally, for those under 21, driving drunk will likely have legal consequences on top of the damage a collision will cause.

Involved in an Accident?

The good news is that parents can teach their children safe driving habits at a young age. What will most likely happen as a result is those kids being safe, level-headed drivers. Things can still go wrong for them, though, as another person can hit you at any time. In this case, it is important to consult with an experienced car accident attorney to determine what your legal options for recovering compensation are. Give us a call at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.

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Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Teen Driving Accidents

What Parents Can Do to Prevent Teen Car Accidents in St. Louis

August 10, 2018 by Christopher

Handing over the keys can be a frightening experience for parents. However, if you teach your teen correctly, it doesn’t have to be.

teenage driving accident

When your child reaches driving age, it is a significant step towards independence. This increased freedom scares most parents, but the reality is that if you have raised your children well, they will usually act responsibly. Given the facts surroundings car accident & teens, what you should really be concerned about is their safety on the road. Below, we explain the basics of teen driving and the best ways to keep your child safe. If they ever do end up in an accident, it is best to speak with a St. Louis auto accident attorney.

Why Teens Are Often Unsafe

There are two primary reasons why teens are unsafe on the road. The first is inexperience. Generally, people start to drive somewhere between the ages of 15 and 19. That means that they are operating on just a few years of experience at most. The second reason is carelessness. Teens tend to be less mature, and thus are more likely to be careless on the road. This frequently leads to accidents.

Top Safety Tips

Though some accidents cannot be avoided, you can significantly decrease your child’s risk by following some of the most important safety tips. They are listed below.

Discourage Phone Usage – One of the top risk factors for teens is phone usage. If you watch your child, this makes a lot of sense. A lot of people in the modern world are glued to their phones, and this is especially true for younger people. When they are driving, they will be tempted to talk, text, or browse the internet. For accident avoidance, it is best to discourage this. A great way to do so is by having your teen put their phone in their glove box for the entirety of their drive.

Promote Defensive Driving– Any car accident attorney will tell you that aggression leads to accidents. If your teen is speeding or driving recklessly, they are at risk.

Minimize Driving in Groups – Studies have shown that teens driving in groups are less safe than driving alone. Try to have your child drive on their own as much as possible.

Communicate About Drunk Driving – Drunk driving is often a factor in teen accidents. You can discourage drinking and driving by having a simple conversation about it.

Lead By Example – Your children are generally going to focus on what you do, not what you say. If you practice unsafe habits, then don’t be surprised when they do the same. You can protect yourself and your child through following safe practices while driving with them.

Putting your teen on the road can be a frightening experience, but if you teach them correctly, it doesn’t have to be. Following a few easy safety tips can increase their safety drastically, so it is worth doing so. Still, no matter how safe your child is, they can be struck by another driver. If this ever happens, it is important to speak with a St. Louis car accident attorney to handle the aftermath properly and get the compensation you and your teen are entitled to.

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Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Teen Driving Accidents

Teens Prone to Dangerous Driving Habits

April 7, 2017 by Christopher

Inexperience and a desire to seek excitement are two contributing factors that often lead to an auto accident involving a teenage driver.

There is much excitement driving your first car, owning your first car, going on road trips with friends, and going on romantic drives. These are just some of the things teenagers look forward to in their cars. While this excitement feels great, it can also be a cause of on-road accidents among teenagers. According to a research conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) drivers aged 16 to 20 are at elevated risk of being in car accidents.

Inexperience is not the only factor contributing to the increasing number of car accidents involving teenage and young adults. A major contributing factor is the fact that teenagers seek out excitement. This is a fact with a scientific explanation.

A study conducted by Temple University involving more than 5,000 individuals across 11 countries has shown that drivers ages 16 to 20 are wired to seek out excitement and engage in risky behavior. The study points out that the brain’s self-regulation does not reach maturity until the mid-twenties, whereas the peak age of desiring risk and excitement is 19 years. While the self-regulatory ability of the brain is still developing, a teenager’s ability to regulate and mitigate risky behavior is still nascent, often leading to behaviors that can be detrimental and devastating.

Liability in car accidents involving teen drivers

First, one should understand that it is essential for everyone, including teens to have minimum insurance coverage for car accidents. The minimum figures according to Missouri law are –

  • $25,000 per person coverage
  • $50,000 per collision for bodily injury
  • $10,000 for property damage

When a teenager is at fault in a car accident, determining liability is a little different from normal cases. If the vehicle is owned by a parent or a guardian, the parent or guardian can face liability under negligent entrustment called the “family car doctrine”.

If the teenager was driving a friend’s car the owner of the vehicle becomes liable under ‘owners liability’ or ‘vicarious liability’. In this case the accident victim can place liability charges on both the owner of the vehicle as well as the teenage driver.

If the teen is uninsured, the accident victim has the same trouble as they would have if the at-fault driver was an adult driver without insurance coverage. In such a situation uninsured and underinsured coverage may come to the rescue. In cases where the coverage amount is insufficient and the victim cannot sustain the high costs of medical bills, loss of wages, and the costs of damages caused, the accident victim may be able to hold the parents, guardian, the vehicle owner, and even the at-fault teenager liable.

In accident cases involving teen drivers, it is important that legal help is sought from a trained, qualified and experienced attorney. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Teen Driving Accidents

100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers

September 23, 2015 by Christopher

What makes the summer time more dangerous for teen drivers?

teen driving accident st. louis

Car accidents are an everyday occurrence on Missouri roads. Thousands of people are injured and many others are killed every year. Of all drivers, teen drivers are believed to be at the highest risk of car accidents because of their inexperience and recklessness. Teen drivers are more prone to making poor driving decisions, often leading to car accidents.

The AAA Foundation conducted a study of police-reported teen driver accidents over a period of 10 years. The study revealed that during the summer of 2012, close to 1,000 people were killed in accidents involving teen drivers. Surprisingly, around two-thirds of the victims who were killed in the accidents involving teen drivers were not the teens.

A Dangerous Time of Year for Teen Drivers

Although an accident involving a teen driver can occur anywhere and at any time, some days are known to be more dangerous than others as far as teen accidents are concerned. During 2013, there was a 43 percent increase in teen driving accidents in the summer compared to other times of the year. The time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day seems to the deadliest for teen drivers.

What makes summer more dangerous for teen drivers? In summer, teenagers tend to drive more for recreational purposes than just back and forth to school. In addition, they are more likely to be driving with teen passengers and this means the risk of an accident increases further, because passengers can be a serious distraction for a young driver. Teen drivers also tend to speed or take risks just to impress their passengers. Teen passengers are also known to ride without a seatbelt when they are riding with their peers. All of these distracted behaviors increase the risk of a car accident, making summer the most dangerous time of the year for teen drivers.

The Role of Parents

Parents can play a huge role in training their kids to be safer drivers, reminding them of safe driving practices. Keep reminding them to put their cell phones away while driving. The best way to teach safe driving habits is by being a good role model. Make sure you wear a seatbelt, put away your cell phone, and obey all traffic rules when driving.

Injured by Negligent Driver?

If you have been injured in a car crash caused by a negligent or reckless driver, pursue a claim for damages from the at-fault driver. Consult with a St. Louis car accident attorney to discuss your case. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Safe Driving, Teen Driving Accidents

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