While most teens do their best to be good drivers, statistics show that many teenage drivers often lack experience and exhibit poor decision-making skills when behind the wheel. Teens aged 16 – 19 are at the greatest risk of being in a car accident because they are more easily distracted and make driving mistakes such as tailgating and speeding. If you are the parent of a teenage driver, understanding what causes these types of accidents can help you talk to your teen about how to prevent them. 
Common Causes of Teen Driving Accidents
Inexperience may play a large role in many teen driving accidents; however, there are other causes that parents should be aware of. While speeding and inattentiveness are also major factors in teen car crashes, here are some others to discuss with your teen driver:
- Distracted driving. Distracted driving is defined as any behavior or activity that takes a driver’s eyes, attention, or concentration off the road. This can include cellphone use, eating, and using GPS systems or the radio. However, one of the greatest distractions can be those in the car with your teen. Research shows that driving with other teen passengers in the car increases a teen driver’s risk of participating in risky behavior such as reckless driving or driving while intoxicated. Driving to impress their friends by engaging in unsafe behaviors puts your teen at high risk of an accident.
- Making 3 critical errors. Approximately 75% of crashes involving teens are due to their making critical driving errors. Three common errors are responsible for almost half of those accidents: the teen was driving too fast for road conditions; the teen did not give enough attention to the road and did not respond quickly enough to road hazards; the teen was distracted by some something outside their car or something happening inside the vehicle.
Preventing Teen Driving Accidents
Parents can help prevent teenage driver accidents by talking with their teens about safe driving habits before they get behind the wheel. Parents should also set a good example by following all traffic laws and avoiding texting or talking on the phone while driving. Teens should also be reminded not to speed or engage in other forms of reckless behavior while driving such as tailgating or racing other cars. You can remind your teen of the importance of always wearing a seat belt.
What Parents Can Do if Their Teen Is Involved in a Crash
If your teen has been involved in a car accident, it’s essential to ensure your child gets prompt, medical attention. After that, you should obtain legal representation from an experienced car accident attorney. An attorney can investigate the accident and determine who was at fault for the accident.
Florida follows a pure comparative fault rule if both parties share responsibility for the accident. If you believe your teen may be partly to blame for the crash, your lawyer can explain how this rule works and what it means for your case.
Contact Browning Law Firm Today
If your teen was involved in a car accident, consult Browning Law Firm today. Our attorney can investigate the accident and determine if you may be entitled to compensation. There are never any legal fees unless we win your case. To schedule an appointment, fill out our convenient online contact form, or call our office at (850) CALL-COY.
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