8 Leading Causes of Teen Car Accidents

Teens know it all, right? If you’re a parent of a teen, you likely understand the struggle of getting them to understand that they actually do have a lot to learn. For example, do they know teens are ten times more likely to be in a fatal car accident than adults? Do they know motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among teens in the U.S.? Those are the facts and they are alarming.

At Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C., we see the heartache and financial struggles families go through when a loved one is critically injured or killed due to the negligence of another driver. We also see the families of teen drivers who caused the accident go through a tremendous amount of grief and hardships because of their child’s actions.

No one wins in these cases. Talking to teens and getting them to listen and understand can be difficult…but it is critical in saving lives. So, let’s take a look at:

• Teen Car Accidents and Driving Statistics
• Eight Leading Causes of Teen Car Accidents
• Why Parents Are the Key to Keeping Teens Safe

Teen Driving Statistics

With millions of inexperienced drivers hitting the road each year, car crashes are inevitable. That said, the number of accidents can be reduced through education. Facts are indisputable, so sharing some of the following statistics, is a good place to start the conversation.

1. Most fatal teen accidents happen within six months of obtaining a license
2. Two-thirds of teen passenger deaths happen with another teen behind the wheel
3. Twenty-five percent of 16-year-old drivers are involved in a car accident during their first year of driving
4. Teen driver accidents and crash risks increase with the number of teen passengers

Eight Leading Causes of Teen Car Accidents

Teens are more likely than adults to make critical maneuvering and decision errors that lead to serious crashes. It is important for parents to discuss these causes in order to prevent an accident down the road:

1. Driver inexperience –three maneuvers which are the main cause of teen crashes are left-hand turns, rear-end events and running off the road
2. Driving with Teen Passengers—90% of teens involved in fatal crashes had teen passengers to distract them
3. Nighttime Driving –40% of motor vehicle crash deaths among teens and passengers happen between 9pm and 6am, when it is dark and there is less time to react
4. Not Using Seatbelts –60% of fatal teen crashes were preventable, as the teens were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident
5. Distracted Driving—50% of teen drivers admit to talking on the phone while driving, 33% admitted to texting while driving and another 48% have been in the car with a driver who was texting
6. Drowsy Driving-– Young drivers account for more than 50% of car crashes caused by drowsiness
7. Reckless Driving –31% of fatal teen car accidents are caused by speeding
8. Impaired Driving –25% percent of fatal teen crashes involve drinking

Why Parents Are the Key to Keeping Teens Safe

We do everything we can to protect our children, and many of us don’t realize that the number one threat to our children is teen driving or riding in a car with a teen driver. On average, 16 teens die each day in an accident. That’s just too many. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to educate parents with its “Parents Are the Key” campaign.

Besides helping your teen learn about the eight biggest causes of teen accidents, parents can also help enforce our state’s driving laws by exploring Pennsylvania’s Graduated Driver Licensing Program. Through the CDC’s initiative, parents are also encouraged to create a parent-teen driving agreement. The agreement puts some rules in writing to set clear expectations and limits.

Having regular conversations about safety, practicing driving together, and leading by a good example go a long way in ensuring your teen will be safe behind the wheel.

We deal with personal injury and auto accident claims all the time, and it’s because someone made a poor choice behind the wheel. If you or someone you know has been injured and it’s someone else’s fault, give us a call. Our experienced attorneys will hold the at-fault parties accountable, helping you secure maximum compensation. We’ve won more than 99% of our cases and secured more than $90,000,000 in settlements for our clients. We can help you too. Just Call Georgelis First at 1-800-HURT-NOW.