Arizona teen car accidents
April 25, 2016
Teenagers have a higher rate of auto accidents than do people of other age groups in both Arizona and the rest of the U.S. According to experts, teenagers do not receive adequate training on safe driving techniques. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, 18,521 drivers aged 19 or younger were involved in collisions in the state in 2014. Of those teen drivers, 62 were involved in fatal accidents.
Sobering statistics about teens and driving
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2,623 teens between the ages of 13 and 19 died in automobile collisions in 2014 in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 243,243 teens between the ages of 16 and 19 were injured in auto crashes in 2013 while 2,163 were killed. These statistics demonstrate the high risk that motor vehicle accidents bring for young people. When compared to older drivers, teenagers are four times likelier to be involved in motor vehicle accidents. When they first begin driving, they are more dangerous to both themselves and others. In one study, researchers found that teen drivers had a 50 percent greater likelihood of having wrecks during the first month they were driving than in the first year of driving.
Not enough driver instruction a big problem
In Arizona, teens are not required to receive formal instruction before getting their licenses to drive. The only requirement is that they receive 30 hours of supervised instruction. Many experts believe that the 30-hour requirement is not adequate. One driver’s education teacher stated that parents are told that at least 100 hours of instruction are recommended in addition to completing a driver’s education class.
Inexperience and cell phones- dual problems for teenagers
Teenagers are simply less experienced drivers than people who are in older age groups. This alone can make them more susceptible to having accidents. Another major problem is teens using their cell phones while they drive. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents among all drivers. Teens are even more likely to check their text messages or talk on their cell phones than are older drivers. Parents who also use their own cell phones while they drive lead their teens to mimic their driving behaviors as well.
The role of parents and their own use of cell phones
Recently, State Farm Insurance Co. conducted a poll of parents. 53 percent of them admitted that they had used their cell phones while they were teaching their teenaged children how to drive. Approximately 61 percent of the teenagers who were polled reported that their parents used their cell phones while the teens were being taught to drive. Even more reported that their parents used cell phones while driving at other times when the teen was not being taught how to drive. State Farm understandably found the poll results alarming. The company indicated that parents need to remember that teens look to them as role models and that teens look to their parents to decide what is okay to do while driving.
Teenagers and liability in car accidents
It is understandable that teenagers will need some time while they are learning the skills involved in driving. People who are seriously injured by teenaged drivers still have recovery rights, however. When a teenager causes an accident because of his or her negligent driving behavior, an injured victim may file a personal injury lawsuit against the teenager to try to recover damages. Arizona also recognizes the family purpose doctrine. Under this legal doctrine, the parents of teenagers who cause accidents may be held liable for resulting injuries to others in some situations. This may provide additional avenues of recovery of damages. Recoverable damages will depend on the circumstances of the individual cases. They may include any or all of the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Losses of your future ability to earn an income
- Loss in the quality of your life
- The pain and suffering you experienced
There are other types of damages that may also be available. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a teen driver, it is best to schedule an appointment with the lawyers at Cantor Crane. Our car accident lawyers can give you an honest evaluation about whether your case is likely to win. If we agree to accept representation, our lawyers will work from day one to get the maximum recovery amount possible to compensate you for all of your losses.