Teens are some of the most stereotypically risky drivers on the road. They lack years of experience, are more likely to be distracted, and they often do not fully understand the consequences associated with reckless navigating. State laws require that teens prove their ability to drive safely before they can obtain a license, but this does not mean you are fully protected from a young and inexperienced motorist.
If you have been involved in a teen driving accident in Marietta, you might be entitled to financial compensation. A carefully constructed lawsuit could help you earn monetary damages that repay for property damage costs, medical expenses, physical suffering, and emotional trauma. A skilled vehicle collision attorney could help plan your actions and avoid complications.
Why do Teenagers Crash More Often than Adults?
Statistics show that as an age group, they are some of the most likely to cause a car accident or become involved in a crash. Teen drivers are more susceptible error while driving for several reasons, including but not limited to:
- Inexperience: Teen drivers have few to no years of experience behind the wheel. This makes them less likely to make correct decisions or understand the ramifications of careless conduct.
- Reckless Driving: Teens might overestimate their ability and navigate carelessly. They may speed, engage in dangerous behaviors, or follow too closely.
- Drugs or Alcohol: DUI’s are all too common among teenage drivers. Navigating under the influence can substantially impact a young motorists’ ability to drive safely.
- Distracted Driving: Navigating with diverted attention is one of the most common cause of crashes involving teenagers. Many young drivers will text behind the wheel or engage in distracting conversations, instead of giving their full attention to the task at hand.
A diligent attorney in Marietta could investigate an accident involving a teenager to determine if any of these behaviors played a prominent role.
Do Unique Laws Apply to Teen Drivers?
Teen drivers must follow all the same rules created for adult motorists while also adhering to special limitations. For instance, Joshua’s Law creates heightened requirements for teen motorists to obtain their license, such as forty hours of supervised experience, six hours of nighttime driving, and an approved vehicle operation course with thirty hours of instruction.
The Teenage & Adult Driver Responsibility Act requires that those under eighteen years of age go through a three-stage process to get their full drivers’ license. Step one is obtaining a learner’s permit. At fifteen, a teen can seek a “Class CP License,” which allow them to operate the vehicle under the supervision of an adult twenty-one and older. Step two involves them acquiring a “Class D” license, which grants a teen driver limited authorization after one year with a learner’s permit. They must also be sixteen years old and pass a driving test. Finally, once a teen turns 18, they can obtain their “Class C” driver’s license.
These driver laws are often helpful in personal injury situations. Violations of these regulations could help legal counsel prove that a young driver definitely caused the accident in question. A knowledgeable lawyer in Marietta could further outline the regulations that govern teen driving and outline the best course of action after an accident.
Contact an Attorney About Teen Driving Accidents in Marietta
The inexperience of an adolescent driver could involve you in a vehicle collision that leaves you with costly medical bills and extensive property damage. Fortunately, you typically have options for holding the young motorist accountable for their conduct. To get diligent assistance with teen driving accidents in Marietta, call one of the office’s experienced attorneys today.