Parents who worry whenever their teenage drivers leave home have every reason to do so. Many teenagers are responsible drivers, but because of their lack of driving experience and maturity, teen drivers present a unique accident hazard on Nevada roads.
Teen drivers tend to speed, make mistakes, and get distracted easily – especially if their friends are in the car. When teen drivers get into accidents, they can injure their passengers as well as other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and themselves.
If you, your teen, or another loved one has been injured in a car accident in the Las Vegas area caused by a teenage driver, contact a car accident attorney at Sam & Ash Injury Law. Every car accident case is different, so our attorneys focus on listening first to make sure you get the best legal guidance for your specific situation.
Once we understand how the car accident happened and your financial needs caused by your injuries, our attorneys at Sam & Ash can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable and seek compensation for your medical expenses, as well as for your pain and suffering. Give us a call to talk with a knowledgeable and caring lawyer. We’re available 24 hours a day to help you find the best path forward. There is never a fee unless we win money for you.
Why Teen Drivers Are More Likely To Cause Car Accidents
Studies show that teenage drivers are more likely to get into car accidents than older and more experienced drivers. Teens are more likely than older drivers to fail to recognize dangerous situations and to make critical decision errors that lead to serious crashes.
A common tragic car accident scenario is a car that slips off the edge of the pavement and, after the inexperienced teen driver overcorrects, careens across the centerline into an oncoming vehicle, or utility pole.
Teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to get into accidents because they tend to engage in risky driving behavior, such as:
- Aggressive driving. Some teen drivers speed for the thrill of it or to test themselves. Male teenagers, especially, can be overconfident and drive too fast for conditions, such as inclement weather and congested traffic. Teen drivers are also more likely to engage in other reckless driving behaviors such as tailgating and risky passing.
- Distracted driving. Teenage drivers have the highest rates of distraction-related fatalities in the nation. Besides using cell phones and other personal electronic devices while driving, teens are commonly distracted by activities such as eating, adjusting the radio, or talking to passengers. Less experienced drivers are more susceptible to distraction caused by sights and sounds outside of their vehicles, a particular hazard in parts of Las Vegas.
- Fatigued driving. Many teens with school, part-time jobs, and active social lives regularly drive without enough sleep. Some teens are drowsy drivers whose reaction times and thought processes are slowed by fatigue.
- Drunk driving. Teen drivers who experiment with underage drinking are less experienced with the intoxicating effects of alcohol than older drivers. Teen drivers have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers at the same blood-alcohol concentration (BAC), even at BAC levels below the legal limit.
- Night-time and weekend driving. Teens, like adults, are more likely to be fatigued or sleepy at night. Darkness reduces visibility and is conducive to falling asleep. In 2019, 40% of motor vehicle crash deaths among teen drivers and passengers aged 13–19 occurred between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., and 52% occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Teen Driving Accident Statistics
Teens are less likely to use seatbelts. The lack of a seat belt or shoulder restraint often leads to more serious injuries in a crash. Crashes caused by teen drivers increase significantly during the summer because more teens are out of school and driving more often.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says traffic crashes are a leading cause of death for teens 15 to 18 years old. But nearly two-thirds of people injured or killed in crashes involving teen drivers are people other than the teen behind the wheel.
When a teen driver has only teen passengers in their vehicle, the fatality rate for all people involved in the crash increases by 51 percent, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The NHTSA said in a May 2019 report that 27 people in Nevada were killed in motor vehicle accidents involving young drivers (age 15–20) in a recent year. That’s 8.7% of all traffic deaths in Nevada that year. Of them:
- 8 were young drivers
- 4 were passengers in a young driver’s vehicle
- 9 were occupants of other vehicles
- 6 were nonoccupants (pedestrians, cyclists)
Nevada Teen Driving Laws
The State of Nevada will determine the immediate status of a teen’s driving privileges after an accident. How the teen will make up for the damage they have caused is typically out of the teen’s hands.
Nevada law requires a parent, guardian, employer, or another responsible person to sign a minor’s application for a driver’s license or instruction permit. This makes the signee financially responsible for any damage the teen causes while driving.
Holding Teen Drivers Responsible for Car Accidents in Nevada
Teenagers who enjoy driving privileges must accept the responsibility of getting behind the wheel of an automobile. Teenage drivers should be held responsible when they are negligent or reckless and cause accidents that injure others.
Anyone injured in a car accident in Nevada has the right to seek compensation for their losses from the responsible party and their insurer. This applies to passengers in the car and pedestrians or cyclists, as well as other drivers. Keep in mind that any compensation you recover after a teen driving accident will in almost all cases be paid by insurance coverage and not directly by the teen’s parents.
Depending on the extent of your injuries, your financial losses in a car accident could be significant.
In a car accident case, the attorneys at Sam & Ash typically pursue compensation on behalf of our injured clients for:
- Medical bills from initial emergency care to diagnostic imaging tests, medication, hospital stay, surgeries, follow-up doctor visits, and therapy appointments.
- Anticipated treatment or long-term care needs in cases of disfiguring or disabling injuries. This may include medication, therapy, wheelchairs or other assistive devices, prosthetics, home accessibility renovations, and personal assistance.
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Lost income during recovery from the accident
- Reduced earning capacity caused by a disabling injury
- Funeral and burial costs of the deceased in a wrongful death
An insurance adjuster who tries to tell you what your case is worth is quoting what their company wants to pay you. To get a better understanding of the actual value of your injury claim, reach out to the experienced Las Vegas teen driving accident attorneys at Sam & Ash Injury Law today.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim in Las Vegas?
Nevada’s statute of limitations allows two years to file a lawsuit after an auto accident. There are very few, narrowly applied exceptions that would extend the time allowed. While you generally need to wait until you have reached maximum medical recovery to know the cost of your medical expenses after a car crash, you do not want to wait too long to hire a car accident lawyer and get started on a claim.
When you call our 24-hour free consultation line after your accident, we begin work on a claim seeking full compensation for your losses. There are many time-consuming steps to gather the evidence needed to file an insurance claim, negotiate if the claim is disputed, and file a lawsuit if the insurer will not make a proper settlement. At each step, the insurance company can delay proceedings. Don’t put off having your claim professionally managed. Get immediate care, service, and answers from Sam & Ash Injury Law now.
Contact The Injury Attorneys At Sam & Ash Injury Law
Teen driving accidents can be devastating for everyone involved. Some families lose a child who was riding in a car driven by another teenager. Others are innocent drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists injured by teen drivers. Still, others are parents who must deal with the plight of a teenage driver who has caused injury or death.
At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we recognize what you are going through and will treat you like a person, not a case file. We’ll put you and your needs first and seek the easiest and most direct path to recovering a fair and appropriate settlement for you.
Contact our Las Vegas car accident lawyers today if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a teen driver in Nevada. We will listen to you, discuss what compensation may be available, and help you decide What’s Right for you. We’re here to make sure your needs are taken care of. Call us now.
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