Where Experience Counts And Results Matter

Summer: The deadliest times for teens and the drivers they meet on the roads

On Behalf of | Jun 29, 2020 | Personal Injury

The summer months are times when teenagers have more freedom and not as much responsibility. School is out and teens are on the road driving to work, the mall, their friends’ houses, and other destinations. But as many parents of teenagers in Tennessee know, teenagers don’t always make the best decisions and sometimes get involved in serious car accidents.

Teen drivers are notoriously bad drivers. Insurance companies know this as the rate they charge teen drivers is much higher. The summer months are especially bad for teen drivers and everyone else they meet on the road. The time period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is known as the 100 Deadliest Days where the number of fatal accidents involving teen drivers rises 17%.  Every year 700 people die in an accident involving a teen driver. During the summer months, the major factors involving fatal teen crashes are speeding, drinking and driving and distraction.

Teen drivers do not have the years of driving experience that older adults have accumulated. They also do not have a fully developed brain which can lead to poor decisions as well. Speeding is a major issue for teen drivers. Half of teen drivers admit to speeding on a residential street and nearly 40% have sped on the freeway. Also, despite the fact that teens are not legally allowed to drink alcohol, many still do. Especially in the summer months, teens frequently get together with their friends where there may be alcohol present. One in six fatal accidents involving teen drivers in the summer involve alcohol. Distracted driving also remains a serious problem with teen drivers. Over half have reported reading a text message or email while driving. Distracted driving can be hard to detect in an accident which is why it is still underreported.

Those who have been injured or killed in a serious accident due to no fault of their own may want to speak with a legal professional who is skilled in personal injury. An attorney can help a family determine what happened to cause the accident and who is at fault. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages and other damages.