Whether your child is in high school or college, each time they pull out of your driveway to drive to school the feelings are the same: nervousness and anxiety for their safety. Even if you believe your child is a safe driver, there are other drivers to worry about, drivers who may not be as safe or attentive as your young driver.
While your teen may dismiss your fears and assure you they’ll be fine, statistics show that teens are at significant risk for involvement in serious auto accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers some sobering statistics to share with your teen before they take to the road:
· Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for American teenagers; in 2010, an average of seven teens were killed each day from car accidents and, compared with drivers 20 years of age and older, teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes.
· In 2010, more than 280,000 teens were injured in car crashes (that’s not including the 2,700 fatalities among teen drivers that same year).
· Although teens and young adults from 15 to 24 years of age make up only 14% of the U.S. population, they account for nearly a third of the total accident-related costs each year.
The reasons teens are involved in so many accidents can, for the most part, be chalked up to inexperience, but risky behavior also plays a role. According to the CDC:
· Teenaged drivers are more likely to underestimate dangerous driving conditions or situations;
· Teenagers are more likely to “tailgate” vehicles in front of them;
· Teenagers are more likely than other age groups not to wear seatbelts; in fact, 2011 data show that only 54% of teen drivers reported wearing seatbelts on a regular basis.
Of course, not all accidents involving teens are the fault of the young driver, and no matter how old you are, motor vehicle accidents can result in serious and long-lasting injuries. Even relatively minor injuries can result in significant medical costs, loss of work and lost tuition. Fighting insurance companies or even going to court alone is a nearly impossible task. To make sure you receive compensation for the costs you incur as the result of any accident, having a skilled lawyer represent your case is the best way to ensure your rights are fully and aggressively protected.
At the Baird Law Group, we understand the costs – financial, physical and psychological – that accompany motor vehicle accidents, and we’re ready to help accident victims fight for their rights. To learn more about how the attorneys at the Baird Law Group can help you, contact the firm at 813-849-2679 today.