How do teenagers cause auto accidents?
Many people learn to drive a car during their teen years – it’s just one of many things teenagers learn to do when growing up. Pennsylvania laws state that anyone 16 years of age or older can get a learner’s permit. Teens who earn their permit may drive to school, grocery stores or friends’ houses.
You may have been in your vehicle when you were injured because of a teen driver – this is likely caused by many common errors. Teen driving accidents happen all the time. Here’s what you should know:
Driver inexperience
Because many teens are just learning to drive, they do not have the same experience as more mature drivers. Most notably, because driving isn’t second nature, teens may struggle to adapt to the flow of traffic. Teens may feel stressed when they’re driving and forget about important road safety laws, which may lead to an auto accident.
Driving at night
Driving at night and driving during the day are often two different skills, one that many teen drivers haven’t learned yet. Nighttime rides often require drivers to focus more on their surroundings, otherwise, they may come into a collision with an unseen vehicle. Teens who aren’t used to driving at night may have a higher chance of causing an accident.
Drunk driving
With great power comes great responsibility – a lesson many teens haven’t grasped yet with driving. Teens who take advantage of their newfound privileges may drink and drive, one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes.
Distracted driving
There are tons of ways to be distracted while driving, causing drivers of any age, especially teens, to look away from the road. Changing the radio, talking to friends or even eating may open the doors to an auto accident. Looking away from the road for even a second may lead to a crash,
Texting and driving
What teen doesn’t have a phone? If a phone isn’t in a teen’s hand, it’s likely nearby and a likely distraction when driving. Calls and texts may cause a teen to look away from the road. Some daring teen drivers may even try texting and driving, raising the risk of an accident.
If you’re in an auto accident, you may need legal guidance to help recover from your medical bills and losses.