Why are Teen Driver Fatalities Still Going Up?
Even though more and more vehicles are integrating new, innovative safety features and states all across the country are creating new laws to reduce the number of people texting or using the phone while driving, the number of teens dying in car accidents is still going up. In fact, according to information from federal regulations, there was a 10 percent increase in teen fatalities in 2015 alone.
If you are involved in any type of accident while driving, you need to hire car accident lawyers in Fairfax for help with the situation. Evidence in these cases is often difficult to understand without a legal professional.
The Trend of Increasing Fatalities
According to a survey published by the Automobile Association of America, parents are often to blame for these increased fatalities. Parents that have certain bad driving habits, such as using the phone while behind the wheel, typically aren’t very strict regarding their teen driving habits.
Another issue is that many teen drivers (approximately one third of them) put off getting a driver’s license until they turn 18. This means they don’t have the period of driving under more restrictive licensing laws and don’t learn the proper way to operate a vehicle safely.
These types of laws have helped to reduce the risks of car accidents by as much as 30 percent.
Top Dangerous Teen Driving Behaviors
Surprisingly, one of the most common mistakes made by teens is not properly scanning the road. Speeding is the second most dangerous behavior. In fact, excessive speed was a factor in more than 4,200 out of 14,000 fatal accidents in the previous five years. Distracted driving is the third most common dangerous activity.
Even though many adults are guilty of all those mistakes, teenage drivers are still one and a half times more likely to suffer a fatal crash than adults. Part of this is due to their inexperience behind the wheel. In fact, this alone can make it extremely challenging to recover quickly enough from a driving mistake to avoid a car accident. If an accident does occur, then contacting car accident attorneys in Fairfax is a must.
Liability in Teen Driver Accidents
The fact is, there are some situations where the teen’s parents can be held liable for the negligent operation of their vehicle. As a result, it is essential to seek legal representation to better explain the law and how it relates to the particular situation.
If an accident with a teen driver occurs, it is essential to hire car accident lawyers in Fairfax. They can work to gather evidence and prove fault to ensure the victim receives the compensation due. If more information is needed about teen driver accidents and why they are so common, contact Hilton & Somer, LLC today.
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