Reasons for Teen Car Accidents
Teenagers are involved in more automobile accidents than any other age group. Annually, around 963,000 teenagers are involved in car accidents. Additionally, 383,000 of these teenagers are injured, whereas the fatalities are well above 2,865.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around six teenagers die in car accidents every day. As a result, motor vehicle accidents are the primary cause of adolescent fatality.
Teen drivers aged 16 to 19 have a substantially higher probability of being involved in a car accident than other age groups. The reasons for teen car accidents vary, but the most common include:
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Lack Of Experience
Driving experience is gained over time. Teens are still fairly new to driving in their early years and are less adept than more seasoned drivers in driving at night or in various weather situations.
Driving takes practice. It may take years for inexperienced drivers to feel entirely at ease behind the wheel. However, experience improves one’s capacity to:
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- Manage all types of roads and driving circumstances
- Respond swiftly
- Deal with passenger distractions
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Experience and practice lead to faster reaction times. When drivers are confronted with split-second threats, faster response speeds and sharper reactions come in handy. Such hazards include a drastic stop to traffic ahead, rapid changes in road conditions, a car deviating into the lane, and animals in the road. In such situations, younger drivers with poorer response times are more likely to be involved in an accident.
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Distracted Driving
Distracted driving affects people of all ages. However, when coupled with teen drivers’ inexperience, distracted driving increases the possibility of teen automobile accidents. Driving while making a phone call, conversing with passengers, tuning the radio, texting, or eating are all examples of distracted driving.
However, using a mobile is the most common cause of teenage accidents among all the above distractions. Entering data, texting, emailing, etc., all take focus away from driving. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, such diversions cause 12% of teen accidents.
According to research, whenever a teen driver uses a mobile phone while driving, his/her response time drops to that of motorists aged 70 and up.
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Reckless Driving
Male teenagers are more prone to risky driving. According to studies, male teens are likely to choose somewhat risky driving feats such as street racing.
Nonetheless, according to the study, both genders engage in risky driving behaviors such as inappropriate lane changes, speeding, tailgating, failing to yield, and speeding through changing traffic signals.
Nighttime speeding is more dangerous since it is more difficult to see the path ahead from a further distance than it is during the day. Therefore, teen drivers with little experience must be extra careful during night hours and respect all legal speed limits.
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Driving While Intoxicated
Alcohol reduces everybody’s capability to drive, but the danger is substantially increased when mixed with a teen’s inexperience. Teens are more willing to engage in risky activity and be less inclined to avoid becoming passengers in a drunk individual’s car. ¼ of all teen fatalities in auto collisions were caused by accidents induced by drunk driving.
Contact Karnas Law Firm
It is critical to mentor and teach teens safe driving behaviors during their initial years of driving. Some accidents, though, are unavoidable.
If you or your kid sustains injury in a major vehicle accident caused by a teen driver, you will require the help of an experienced Car Accident Attorney.
Karnas Law Firm can assist you in obtaining the reimbursement you are entitled to. Schedule a free case consultation today with one of their experienced lawyers to determine your legal rights and options.