Teen Driving Accidents Fresno
When people think of dangerous drivers, they usually think of the elderly. But there’s another demographic that causes frequent accidents: teens. Teen driving accidents in Fresno are common occurrences. Although not all teens are reckless and negligent, some of them are. Their actions could be directly responsible for your accident.
If a teen driver is at fault for your accident, you could be eligible for compensation. Here at the Grossman Law Offices, we want you to know about your options.
Why Are Some Teen Drivers Dangerous?
Driving well takes practice. When a teen first gets their license, they don’t have many hours on the road. No amount of driver’s education can prepare them for the challenges of driving on Fresno’s busy streets.
According to the CDC, the leading cause of death for individuals between 16 and 19 years of age is car accidents. It’s likely that this is due to their inexperience on the roads. But there’s also another force at play.
Teens tend to behave in a more risky manner than older individuals. In fact, their brains may be wired that way. As a result, they are more likely to drive more recklessly. Here are some of the more common risky teen behaviors you might see on the world:
1. Driving While Distracted
Some teens are glued to their cell phones. When they hear the “ding” of their phone, they stop whatever they’re doing to read their text. However, this could be deadly in a vehicle. If a driver is looking at their phone, they can’t drive to the best of their ability. In many situations, the result is an accident.
2. Drunk Driving
No matter how many drunk driving commercials seem to air on television, drunk driving seems to remain a problem. And while drunk driving is always dangerous, teen drunk driving is particularly hazardous. One study showed that teens had more accidents than adults when they drove at a certain BAC level.
Teens don’t always know their limits, and this could be why teen drunk driving is somewhat common. In Fresno, there were 16 juvenile DUI arrests in 2015. That number does not reflect all of the unreported underage drinking and driving incidents.
3. Speeding
Another possible cause of a teen driving accident is speeding. There are some teens who drive with caution. However, there are others who drive with reckless abandon. These drivers might speed and lose control of their vehicles. Sadly, accidents at high speeds tend to involve serious injuries.
What Should You Know About Teen Accidents in Fresno?
There are several things you should know about teen accidents. For one, you should be aware that you can seek compensation. If the other driver’s negligence caused your accident, then personal injury laws protect you. You can file a personal injury claim to recover damages for your accident.
You should also be aware that the teen might not be the one responsible. In California, the legal guardian could be to blame. Anyone under the age of 18 needs permission from their parent or guardian to obtain a license. Therefore, the guardian could be liable for the youth’s actions.
If you want to seek compensation, you should contact a lawyer. Often, personal injury claims are complex issues. An experienced legal professional can walk you through the process. In many cases, they can help you negotiate a fair settlement.
If the negotiations aren’t successful, there’s another possibility. You could go to trial. Once again, your lawyer can help you. Here at Grossman Law, we can represent you in a court of law. Our firm puts you first and will do our best to achieve a successful outcome. Contact us today for more information.