The moment a teen passes their driving test and receives their license can be one of the most important milestones of their life. In their eyes, they’ve obtained a ticket to freedom. However, couple inexperience and inattention with an inability to accurately assess risks, and teen drivers prove to be a serious liability on the roads. In fact, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for teens across the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Not only can teen drivers pose a serious risk to themselves and others on the roads around them, but teen driving accident law can be complex, with many factors at play including parental liability and vicarious liability. In that case, there could be more than one insurance company to contend with. Insurance companies always have profit and the bottom line on their minds, so they’ll do everything in their power to undervalue your claim and keep from you your rightful settlement. That’s why it’s critical to seek out the help of an experienced, aggressive Los Angeles personal injury attorney who can help you evaluate your options and explore every possible avenue for recovery.
If you or a loved one were injured in a teen driving accident in California, trust the experienced Los Angeles personal injury firm MI ABOGADO. We will fight relentlessly to hold any and all parties at fault responsible for their actions and help you secure the maximum possible settlement. You deserve to see justice for your losses.
Our team has served over a quarter of a million clients like you across the state of California, with 96% seeing financial compensation for their losses. We are well prepared to represent any party to a teen driving accident. Plus, we take all teen driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid until you receive your rightful settlement. There are no upfront fees whatsoever, exemplifying the confidence we have in our skills and abilities. It is our purpose to maximize your settlement so you can see justice for what you’ve lost.
Common Causes of Teen Driving Accidents
Some common causes of teen driving accidents include:
- Inexperience. By far, the leading cause of car accidents in California is driver error, and errors are more commonly made by teen drivers who lack the experience and skill to handle complex driving situations that drivers develop after thousands of miles and many years on the road. Driving regularly involves reacting to unexpected situations and making dozens of split-second decisions. When bad weather hits, teenagers are far less likely to manage as well as a seasoned expert behind the wheel who knows how to avoid hydroplaning and skidding. Teenagers may also fail to read or comprehend traffic signals or road signs and are less likely to know how to react when there are falling objects, roadway defects, and construction. They also lack the ability to judge distances at speed which is developed over time and through experience, and may think there’s enough time to make a turn or change lanes, causing a collision.
- Distracted Driving. Distracted driving remains a serious problem among seasoned adults behind the wheel in California, and presents a larger problem in teenagers who lack the impulse control and understanding of long-term consequences to leave any distractors behind before they step behind the wheel. Teens are far more likely to respond to texts, check social media, and make calls while driving. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that one in three teens admit to texting while driving, but the actual figure could be significantly higher. Teenagers also tend to drive other teens around, who may lack the good judgment not to distract their friend behind the wheel. Teens may also become distracted when eating, drinking non-alcoholic beverages, changing the music, and applying makeup behind the wheel.
- Impaired Driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain prescription medications is expressly illegal in California, but this behavior persists. Even though the use of alcohol and marijuana is illegal for individuals under 21, teenagers are more likely to experiment with impairing substances and lack the critical thinking skills to understand their impairment and know their limits before they get behind the wheel. Teenagers are also highly susceptible to peer pressure and do not want to disappoint their parents and lose their driving privileges, so they may drive even when they suspect they are impaired due to social pressure or to conceal their impairment from their parents, not understanding that even the shortest drives while under the influence can lead to catastrophic accidents. California has a zero-tolerance policy for driving while impaired, and those under 21 can be charged with a DUI for having any detectable amount of alcohol in their system, even if it is below the legal limit.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving. Due to their immaturity and inclination for excitement, teenagers are known to be impulsive and are more likely to overestimate their abilities and drive aggressively, unaware of the risks they are creating for themselves and those around them. They may not follow the law of California roads and may make serious errors such as speeding, tailgating, and failing to obey traffic signals and road signs. They may also turn or change lanes without signaling or ensuring that it is safe to do so.
Parental Liability Law in California
California law emphasizes the importance of parental guidance and supervision when teens are learning to drive. As such, California has certain laws regarding parental liability, meaning a parent may also face consequences for their teen driver’s actions until their child turns 18. A parent or legal guardian is required to sign a consent form allowing their child under 18 to drive. By signing this form, the parents or guardians become liable for any accidents or damage that their teen drivers cause. If this consent form is withdrawn, the teenager will automatically lose their driving privileges. Parents who allow their teenagers to use their cars may also be vicariously liable for any damage or accidents that occur by using that car.
Common Injuries Caused by Teen Driving Accidents
Like any car accident, the injuries resulting from a teen driving accident can vary in severity. However, teens often lack the experience and focus to mitigate the potential impact of the collision (by breaking, swerving, and the like), so the resulting injuries can be even more serious, even fatal. These injuries can present lifelong complications, disfigurement, and disabilities, made worse when a passenger or driver involved wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
MI ABOGADO has an expansive network of trusted medical professionals across the state of California. We put our clients’ health above all else, so let us help you ensure you’re receiving the highest standard of medical care, regardless of the severity of your injuries.
The injuries that most commonly occur following a rideshare accident include:
- Lacerations, scrapes, and cuts
- Bruising
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries
- Internal injuries
- Injuries to the extremities and joints
- Neck and shoulder injuries, such as whiplash
- Back and spinal cord injuries, sometimes resulting in paralysis
- Head injuries, including skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limbs or extremities
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disabilities and impairments
- Wrongful death
- Emotional trauma such as PTSD
How MI ABOGADO Can Help You with Your Teen Driving Accident Claim
The experienced personal injury law team at MI ABOGADO has represented clients across the gamut of personal injury cases, teen driving accidents included. With nearly 300,000 clients served and a 96% success rate, lead Attorney Javaheri has been recognized by many prestigious organizations for his skills and experience in the field, and his commitment to doing things differently. After working at a big law firm, Attorney Javaheri decided he didn’t want to be a part of a legal system where clients speak to an endless circle of customer service representatives about their concerns and where attorneys pass off the casework to paralegals and inexperienced associates. That’s why, at MI ABOGADO, we exemplify our commitment to our clients by limiting the number of cases we take, ensuring Attorney Javaheri is available to each and every client trusting MI ABOGADO with their case. We believe that bigger isn’t better. Better service is better.
Through that experience, our team understands that, following a devastating teen driving accident, you already have enough on your plate, and the last thing you need is the added stress of arguing with uncooperative lawyers and insurance companies just to be made whole for what you have lost. That’s why, at MI ABOGADO, we make it our mission to take care of everything else. Let us handle your case so you can focus on what matters most: your health, your future, and your family.
Our comprehensive services begin from the moment you call. We will put our vast network of trusted medical professionals to work for you, ensuring you’re receiving the highest quality medical care as you recover. Once your medical needs have been met, we will work tirelessly to construct and present the strongest possible claim for maximum recovery.
Contact Our Skilled Los Angeles Teen Driving Accident Attorney Today
The team at MI ABOGADO knows that, after a teen driving accident, the last thing you need to add to the growing pile of bills on your mind is attorney’s fees. That’s why we take teen driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis. We don’t get paid until you do, it’s as simple as that.
Contact us as soon as possible for a free, confidential consultation or second opinion. We are ready to get started fighting for you.