What To Do When Your Teenager Has A Car Accident?
Having a teenager is stressful and having a teenage driver can be downright scary. Adolescent drivers are much more likely to be involved in a car accident than their more experienced counterparts. Teenage driving accident statistics are terrifying.
The risk of a car crash involving teenage drivers is much higher than that of adult drivers. There are several reasons a teenage driver car accident is more likely than an adult:
- Lack of experience,
- Distracted driving,
- Nighttime and weekend driving,
- Speeding,
- Not using seatbelts, and
- Alcohol or drug use.
Education, practice, and preparation will help adolescent drivers remain accident and injury free.
Key Takeaways:
- Stay Calm: It’s important for teenagers to remain calm after an accident, despite the stress and fear they may feel.
- Do Not Leave the Scene: Teenagers should never leave the accident scene until the police arrive, regardless of the accident’s severity.
- Call the Police: Safety is paramount. Injured teens should call 911 immediately, and for minor accidents, the local police should be contacted to report the incident.
- Be Prepared: Teens should be familiar with the steps to take after an accident and always have emergency supplies in their car.
- Gather Information: If uninjured, teens should gather as much information as possible at the scene, including taking pictures, exchanging insurance details, and collecting witness information.
- Seek Medical Attention: It’s crucial to seek medical attention after an accident, even for seemingly minor injuries, as symptoms can worsen over time.
- Call Your Insurance Company: The insurance company should be notified of the accident promptly, usually within 48 hours.
- Speak to an Attorney: In cases of severe injuries or significant damage, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney might be advisable.
Teenage Driving Accident Statistics
In 2019, the CDC reported that almost 2,400 teens in the United States aged 13 to 19 were killed, and about 258,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries from motor vehicle accidents. It equates to about seven teens dying daily from motor vehicle crashes.
The risk of teenage drivers causing an accident, as opposed to simply being involved in an accident, is greater than that of adults. The CDC further reports that there are three categories of teenage drivers that are at heightened risk of being in a car crash.
- Male teenage drivers (their death rate is two times higher than the death rate for female drivers of the same age),
- Teenage drivers with other young passengers, and
- Provisional and newly licensed drivers.
The likelihood of a teenage driver auto accident is high. It is best to ensure your teen is prepared to handle any car collision situation.
Advice for Teenage Drivers After a Car Accident
Although it is critical to teach your teenage drivers proper safety and to spend time practicing with them, teens are bound to be in a collision at some point. Novice drivers are more likely to be involved in at least a minor fender bender. No matter the accident’s severity, it’s crucial for teenage drivers to know what to do after a car accident.
Do Not Panic
Try to remain calm. It may seem like the end of the world right now, and you may fear being in trouble but do your best to stay calm at the moment.
Do Not Leave the Scene of the Accident
No matter how minor the accident may seem, always stay on the scene until the police arrive. Even when in a panic and scared, do not leave the location of the accident. Leaving the scene of an accident will only make matters worse.
Although it is never a good idea to leave the scene of an accident, it is always a good idea to make sure to move to safety (e.g., pull off into the shoulder).
Call the Police
Teach your teenage driver that safety is of utmost importance. If they are injured, they should call 911 immediately. If the accident is just a minor fender bender, contact the local police to report the accident. The police will respond to the scene and make a report of the incident.
Depending on the circumstances, the police may also:
- Direct the flow of traffic,
- Collect evidence,
- Interview witnesses, and
- Aid in providing medical assistance.
Most importantly, always remain polite and cooperative with the police.
Be Prepared
Familiarizing your teen with these steps after an accident will help them feel prepared and calm in the event of a crash. Further, make sure they always have emergency supplies, such as a first aid kit, fully stocked in their car at all times.
Gather Information
After a teenage driver auto accident, if uninjured, you should teach your teen to gather as much information as possible. Take pictures of the scene, exchange insurance information with the other driver, and collect any witnesses’ names and phone numbers.
Seek Medical Attention
Following a teenage driver accident, your teen must know to seek medical attention. Even if their injuries may seem minor, symptoms can worsen, and injuries can manifest over time. It is always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. Even something as simple as a bump on the head can turn into a dangerous concussion.
Call Your Insurance Company
You must notify your insurance company of any car wreck promptly. Most insurance companies require policyholders to notify them of an accident within 48 hours.
Speak to an Attorney
Depending on the severity of your teen’s injuries and the extent of damage, it may be best to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney in New Jersey. A skilled car accident lawyer at Petro Cohen, P.C. can assist you in negotiating with your insurance company and assess whether you may have any claims against the other party’s insurance.
Trust Petro Cohen, P.C. with Your Personal Injury Case
At Petro Cohen, P.C., our injury attorneys have decades of experience handling thousands of personal injury cases with successful outcomes for our clients, fighting hard to recover fair compensation and appropriate medical care for their injuries. Petro Cohen, P.C. Managing Partner Susan Petro heads the Personal Injury Department, which includes experienced injury attorneys Rich Gaeckle and Mike Veneziani. Whether your injury resulted from a slip and fall, construction site mishap, or an accident involving an automobile, truck, motorcycle, boat, or bicycle, we can help, even if it means litigating against big corporations or public entities. Petro Cohen, P.C. has offices to serve you in Northfield, Cape May Court House, Cherry Hill, and Hamilton, NJ. To determine if you may have a potential personal injury case, schedule your free and confidential consultation with a Petro Cohen, P.C. lawyer. You can contact us through our online form or via 24/7 live chat at PetroCohen.com.