October 15th – 21st is National Teen Safe Driving Week, a week “…dedicated to raising awareness and seeking solutions to preventable teen deaths and injuries on the road.” With help from educators and parents, National Teen Safe Driving Week gives teens pause and encourages these younger drivers to take a critical look at, and change, their dangerous driving behavior. If you have a teen and would like ideas on how to discuss safe driving, TeenDriverSource.Org has a page dedicated to activities and resources that can prove useful in the endeavor.
If you or your teen have been injured in a car accident in Atlanta, call our auto accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.
A LOOK AT TEEN DRIVING
16-year-olds have the highest crash rate in the United States. In fact, newly licensed drivers are three-times more likely to cause or be involved in an auto accident than any other group of drivers. Males in particular are at risk for being involved in car accidents, but all teens see risks increase significantly when additional passengers are involved.
In Georgia, teens can get a license at 16 only if they have completed an approved driver’s education course. This requirement is waived if a teen waits to get his or her license until age 17, providing a learner’s permit has been held for at least 12 months.
According to the CDC, an average of seven teens – aged 16 to 19 – die every day in motor vehicle accidents. Countless more sustain serious, sometimes permanent injury. Much of this has to do with teen driving behaviors. Studies cited by the CDC have found that teens are:
- More likely to engage in risky behavior while driving
- More likely to speed and tailgate
- Less likely to wear seatbelts
- More likely to drive while distracted
Texting and talking on a cellphone are near constant activities for today’s teens, even when driving. A AAA survey of teen drivers found near consensus among younger drivers that texting while driving is dangerous. Even still, nearly 35% admitted to doing it regularly. Teen drivers are four-times more likely to be involved in an auto accident when they are using a cellphone. This risk increases to five-times when a passenger is in the vehicle.
Teens are more likely to be involved in serious and fatal car accidents because they are more likely to engage in dangerous behavior. Talk to your teen today, using the resources provided above, to help ensure he or she understands the risks of poor driving behaviors and to help protect them from the consequences of their own and other’s bad driving.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR TEEN IS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT
When your teen is involved in an auto accident, the cards are stacked against them. Statistics show that most car accidents involving teens are caused by teens – a fact that can make your child seem guilty even when he or she is not. This is just one reason to have an Atlanta car accident lawyer from Chance, Forlines, Carter & King on your side as soon as possible following the crash.
The experienced auto accident attorneys at our firm know how to investigate car wrecks involving teens to determine both cause and liability. It is important to remember that, in the state of Georgia, even if your teen played a role in the car accident they have been involved in, your family may still be entitled to compensation. Before you settle with an insurance company, give our Atlanta car accident lawyers a call at 404-760-7400 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.
Many car accidents involving teenagers are serious and action on the scene of a crash is not always possible. However, it is a good idea to discuss with your teen what steps should be taken following an auto accident to help them protect themselves and your family if action is possible.
In the immediate aftermath of a car crash, when possible, your teen should be instructed to:
- Gather vehicle, contact, and insurance information from each involved driver
- Take pictures of the accident from several angles
- Cooperate fully with police, EMTs, and other emergency personnel
- Contact you or your insurance agent
If your teen contacts you instead of the insurance company, you should notify your agent immediately. They may want to send an adjuster to the scene for investigative purposes. Your teen can talk to the adjuster, but should not admit fault. In fact, no matter who they are talking to, your teen should not admit fault or even suggest he or she is responsible for an accident. This can be difficult when other drivers are angry or aggressive. Instruct your teen to not engage with angry drivers, but instead to wait for police to gather pertinent information.
Following a car accident in Atlanta, your teen will need to see a doctor, even if EMTs cleared them from the scene. Some of the most catastrophic personal injuries can take days or even months to manifest symptoms. Having your teen examined by a trusted healthcare professional can help prevent the serious and potentially permanent damage that can be caused by an undiagnosed spinal cord or brain injury.
After meeting with your family physician, you will want to contact our Atlanta auto accident lawyers for a free consultation. During this visit we can evaluate your documentation, discuss the viability of a lawsuit, and help you choose the most effective way to get fair compensation. This may be through insurance, but it may also be through legal action. We will provide you with honest and useful information to help you make the best decision for your family.
WHY CHOOSE OUR ATLANTA CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS?
The Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Chance, Forlines, Carter & King have years of experience helping families recover damages following car accidents. However, unlike large firms that simply seek a quick settlement, our attorneys take time to work individually with each client, making sure that the representation we offer is personalized and geared towards the most desirable outcome.
Members of our award-winning, peer-reviewed, and highly respected legal team have secured large settlements for victims of serious injury. We are prepared to get to work on your case right away to help ensure your family is awarded every penny you are due.
With our assistance, you may be able to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Ongoing rehabilitation and services
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
Our Atlanta car accident lawyers are here to help you secure the largest settlement possible through direct and tireless representation and support. We can discuss our approach, your rights, and all of your options during your risk-and-obligation-free consultation.
If you or your teen is in need of an auto accident lawyer in Atlanta or surrounding areas of Georgia, please call Chance, Forlines, Carter & King at 404-760-7400 today.