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You are here: Home / Blog / Why Are Motor Vehicle Accidents the Top Killer of Teens?

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: Blog Tagged With: Teen Driving Accidents

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    The images included on this site are not actual attorneys, events, or clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Attorney Chris Hoffmann handles car and truck accident claims throughout Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. He represents injured clients in St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Clayton, East St. Louis, Alton, Hillsboro and Belleville, and other cities in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson Country, MO, and St. Clair County and Madison County, IL.