Chicago Teen Car Accident Lawyer

One of the most unpleasant phone conversations a parent can have is with a teenager who has just been in a car accident.

Teen accidents often result in injuries, and the young drivers may not be aware of all the steps they need to take to protect themselves – both legally and financially.

Was your teenager not at fault for causing their car accident? Even if your teen appears to be uninjured, it is essential to have a doctor check for potential injuries.

Once you have ensured your teen's safety and well-being, contact the personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC for a free consultation.

Our attorneys will protect your teen's legal rights and can advise you on the next steps to take. We can provide you with a free consultation. Call our Chicago car accident lawyers at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free case review.

Teen Driver Car Accidents and the Statistics

Teen drivers are inexperienced and more likely to be in an accident. Car accidents are the leading cause of increasing motor vehicle death rates for teenagers in the United States.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 2,614 fatalities among teen drivers and passengers in 2018. An average of seven teenagers are killed each day in motor vehicle accidents.

In recent years, the number of female drivers involved in teen car accidents has increased. Serious injuries and fatalities among teen drivers and drivers of all age groups are essentially the results of inexperience, distractions, and recklessness. The NHTSA report that:

• About 50%of all teen drivers involved in a fatal teen car crash were driving with someone else in the car.
• Twenty percent of fatal accidents involving teens occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Teens are more likely than other drivers in different age groups to underestimate dangerous situations.
• Lessthan other age groups, teens are more likely to speed and make illegal maneuvers.
• Forty percent of teen driver car accidentsoccur when the driver is distracted.

Common Injuries Related to Teen Car Accidents

Teen driver car crash victims suffer a wide range of injuries, both fatal and non-fatal. Head-on car collisions among teenagers occur more often than any other age group, and the injuries are more severe when there is an impact on the head or chest.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that the most common injuries sustained in teen driver car crashes are:

• Head injury, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Neck injuries
• Chest injury, including broken ribs and punctured lungs
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injury

Has your teenager suffered injuries related to a car accident and incurred expensive medical bills, long-term care, and rehabilitation? Did their injuries sustained in the car crash lead to lost wages?

Parents of teen drivers should contact an experienced teen car accident lawyer as soon as possible after teen driver car collisions. The teen car accident lawyer can guide how to protect the legal rights of the injured teen and help them pursue compensation for their injuries.

The Common Causes of Teen Driver Car Accident

Various factors can contribute to a teen car crash. Parents of a teenage driver should be aware of these causes and take steps to help their teens avoid them.

The most common causes of teen driver motor vehicle crashes are:

Inexperience

A teen involved in a car accident did not have the opportunity to develop the skills like older drivers needed to drive safely. They may not know how to respond to hazardous driving conditions or handle a car in a skid.

Distracted Driving

Teens are more likely than older drivers to be distracted while driving. Their distracted driving might involve texting, talking on their cell phones, or listening to music. They may also be distracted by their passengers or what they see outside the car.

Recklessness

Teens may take risks while driving, leading to teenage driving accidents. They may go too fast, make reckless maneuvers, or race other drivers. The reckless manner often leads to serious teen driving accidents and even fatalities hurting them or the other driver.

Driver Fatigue

Teen drivers are more likely to cause car accidents when they are tired. They may not be aware of the dangers of driving while fatigued. The tired driver is a danger to himself and others on the road.

Drunk Or Drugged

Young drivers who are drunk or high on drugs are more likely to have car crashes. Chances increase, especially when combined with reckless driving behavior.

Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving is another cause of accidents. A sleepy driver may not react quickly to hazards on the road and may drift into other lanes.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Teens may drive too fast for the conditions or try to weave in and out of traffic. They may also become angry and aggressive when they are behind the wheel. Any aggressive or distracted driving at high speed can lead to serious fatal car accidents and even teen deaths.

How To Prevent Teen Car Crashes

Parents of new teen drivers can take steps to help their children avoid accidents. The most important thing is to talk to your teen about the dangers of driving and stress the importance of safe driving practices.

Parents should also set rules for their teen drivers and enforce them. Teens should not drive with passengers, drive at night, or drive when tired.

Passengers in a car can also distract the teen driver. Parents should set rules for their teen passengers, such as no talking on the phone or texting while the vehicle is moving.

Parents can also install safety features in their teen's cars. These features can include airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. Teens should also be taught how to use these features.

It is also crucial for parents to monitor their teen's driving. They should ride with their teen driver periodically to see how they are doing behind the wheel.

Making a Personal Injury Claim

Has your teenager suffered injuries in a car accident? If so, they may have the right to file a personal injury claim to pursue compensation for the injuries related to the crash.

It is essential to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine your options. The lawyer will review the facts of your accident and will advise you on the best course of action.

If you decide to file a claim, the lawyer will file a lawsuit on your behalf and will represent you in court. They will also negotiate with the insurance company to get you the best possible settlement.

Complicated Filing Process

The process of filing a personal injury claim can be complicated, and it is vital to have a lawyer who knows what they are doing. An experienced lawyer will guide you through the process to get the compensation you deserve.

To file a personal injury claim for compensation for any losses or injuries caused by a vehicle accident, you must assist your child with the following:

1. A written statement of the accident from your son or daughter
2. Medical bills and records related to the accident
3. Police report
4. Photos of the scene and vehicle damage
5. Statements from any eyewitnesses
6. Documentation of lost earnings, if applicable
7. Documentation of any other accident-related losses
8. An estimate of the total damages
9. The name of the insurance company and policy number

Is a Parent Legally Liable for a Young Driver's Accident?

Generally, parents are liable for the accidents caused by their minor children. Driving is a privilege and not a right. Parents can always take away their child’s driving privileges at any time.

If the parent was negligent in supervising the child driver and knew or should have known that the child was driving recklessly and did nothing to stop it, they could be held liable for the damages caused by a car accident.

Determining who is responsible for a car crash involving a teen driver can be difficult. That’s why speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer is essential. They will advise you on the best course of action.

What Options Are Available to You for Financial Recovery?

If your teen has been in a car accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim for financial compensation.

A personal injury claim can provide compensation for the injuries that have been sustained in the accident. The car accident lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to get you the best possible settlement.

The available recovery options are:

Your Insurance:

If your teen driver was uninsured, you might still be able to file a claim against your insurance policy. Most insurance policies cover traffic accidents caused by uninsured drivers through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Your insurance company will investigate the accident. However, it is essential to note your insurer might not be looking out for your best interest when settling your claim.

Hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to receive maximum compensation.

Your Teen's Insurance

Did your licensed child drive the family car and get into an accident? Your child's insurance policy will likely cover the damages caused by the car accident through collision coverage.

Your child's insurance company has the legal obligation to investigate the accident and pay for the damages from the crash. However, they may try to get out of paying by denying the claim or by offering a low settlement.

Make a Claim Against the Other Driver:

If the other driver was at fault for the accident, you could file a claim against them through a third-party claim.

The other driver's insurance company will investigate the accident before accepting responsibility to resolve your claim.

A third-party injury lawyer from our law firm can ensure you receive the monetary compensation you deserve.

File a Lawsuit:

If the other driver's insurance company does not offer a reasonable settlement, you may have to file a lawsuit.

A lawsuit is a legal process that will take time and money. It is crucial to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to guide you through the process.

When you suffer losses, you must prove specific conditions to recover compensation:

• The accident must have been caused by someone else.
• You must have incurred damagesas a result of the accident.
• You must file your lawsuit within a specific time frame.

As you can see, there are several options available for financial recovery after a car accident involving a teen driver. It is important to speak with an experienced lawyer to determine which option is best for you.

What If My Teen Was Partially to Blame for the Accident?

Was your child partially to blame for their teen driver's car accident? If so, they might still be able to recover some of their damages under contributory negligence laws.

Contributory negligence will reduce the amount of money that your teen can recover. However, it is essential to note that contributory negligence will not bar your teen from recovering any damages at all.

Nighttime Driving

Nighttime driving will be more dangerous for teenage drivers. According to the study, "Teens and Young Adults: The Risks of Nighttime Driving" by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

The study found that crashes involving adult drivers are three times more likely to occur at night than during the daytime.

The legal team at our firm has years of experience in personal injury law. We understand what it takes to get you the best possible outcome in your case.

What Are the Categories of Compensable Damages?

There are several categories of compensable damages that you may be able to recover after a car accident involving a teen driver.

These include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

If the driver who caused the teen driver's car crash was behaving recklessly or negligently, you might be able to recover punitive damages.

There are some less common types of damages that you may be able to recover, such as:

• Loss of consortium: You can recover money for the loss of consortium caused by a car accident.
• Disability benefits: If you become disabled due to an accident, you may recover disability benefits.

The best way to find out what damages you may be able to recover is to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We will review your case at our firm and help you determine which damages you should pursue.

Learn How a Teen Car Accident Lawyer Can Assist

Hiring a teen car accident lawyer is a great way to ensure you get the best possible outcome in your case.

• We will handle all of the paperwork
• Negotiate with the insurance company
• If negotiations fail, we will represent you in court

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC is a personal injury law firm representing car crash victims throughout the country. Our lawyers know the pain of the teen driver's family whose child caused an accident. We will fight to get you the money you deserve.

We understand how traumatic it can be to go through a car accident, and we will try to make the process as easy for you as possible.

Call us today at (888) 424-5757 for a free case review & no-obligation consultation. We will review your car accident case and provide legal options.

Resources:

• CDC- Facts About Teen Drivers