Teens and Car Accidents: What Parents Need to Know While Seeking Compensation

A car accident can turn your family’s entire world upside down in an instant, especially when a teen driver is involved. Parents must understand how a crash uniquely affects their teens legally, and how to prepare accordingly. 

This guide addresses key questions and provides practical steps to protect your family, your rights, and your teen’s future.

The Importance of Safe Driving for Teens

Teens statistically have a very high crash rate, especially in their first months and years of unsupervised driving. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (using the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System), the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16-19 year-olds is nearly three times higher than the rate for drivers ages 20 and over. Crash risk is highest at ages 16-17, when newly licensed teens are usually driving independently for the first time. 

Building safe driving habits early can prevent distractions, traffic violations such as speeding tickets to more life-changing accidents for a teen driver. 

Tips for Guardians: Safety Starts at Home

Here’s how guardians can play a crucial role in shaping their teens’ driving habits early:

• Focus on early intervention by practicing difficult skills together (merging, highway driving, parking, etc.) while gradually increasing your teen’s independence. Encourage teens to drive wisely and defensively and to look out for others on the road.
• Model safe driving for the young driver in your life. Avoid phone use, stick to speed limits, and never drive impaired or under the influence.
• Talk regularly about risks, and share real examples from local news stories.
• Set clear rules about when, where, and with whom your teen can drive.
• Create a contract or other written agreement that spells out driving expectations and consequences for your teen; many insurance providers and state DMV websites offer templates (like this one from AAA for California drivers).
• Monitor your teen’s driving through an app like Life360 or Bouncie. These tools track driving behaviors and add a convenient layer of accountability for adhering to safety. 

Tips for Teens: Stay Safe Behind the Wheel

If you’re a guardian of a teen driver reading this, below is a simple list of basic safety reminders for you to share with your teen. Copy it, print it, laminate it, and provide it to your teen for their reference.

If you’re a teen reading this, you’re already a step ahead! Defensive, distraction-free driving saves lives. Here’s a list of tips to help keep you accountable as you begin your life as an independent driver:

• Always buckle up: Seatbelts can reduce serious injuries in teens by more than 50%. Insist that every passenger buckles up before even starting your car.
• Familiarize yourself: Before putting the car in drive, make sure to adjust your mirrors, your seat, set the radio, ensure directions, and get familiar and comfortable in the car.  You’ll want to set yourself up to limit distractions before putting the car in drive.
• Limit distractions: Silence your phone, keep your hands on the wheel, and keep your eyes on the road. Consider downloading a driving app or using “do not disturb” settings on your phone to reduce distractions.
• Minimize passengers: Too many passengers in the car dramatically increases crash risk. Restrict passengers, especially as a new driver.
• Obey speed limits: Speeding contributes significantly to fatal teen crashes, particularly late at night. Drive at safe speeds and allow greater following distances between cars.
• Never drive impaired or tired: Sleep deprivation or substance use can be as dangerous as alcohol. Don’t drive when drowsy, and never use drugs or alcohol when you know you’ll be behind the wheel.
• Plan: Check the weather. Review your route ahead of time when you plan to travel. Avoid high-risk driving times (late nights, heavy traffic, etc.) until you’re confident.
• Speak up: If you feel unsafe, say so. Don’t cave to peer pressure for risky activities or distractions.
• Practice problem-solving: Know what to do if you’re lost, broken down, or face emergencies. Call for help. Pull over safely. Never accept rides from strangers. These are common-sense tactics you only learn by intentionally repeating scenarios in your mind and by doing when (and we do mean when) those scenarios become reality. 

What Are the Legal Consequences If My Teen Was Driving Outside of License Restrictions?

Teen driving laws are designed for safety and are often strictly enforced. Graduated driver licensing rules in states like Nevada and California set clear restrictions for young drivers, including limits on nighttime driving, the number and/or age of passengers, and required adult supervision.

For example, Nevada’s teen driving laws prohibit drivers under 18 from having passengers under 18 (excluding immediate family) during the first six months of holding their license, and restrict all driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless for a school or work-related activity. 

Similar laws exist in California, where teens must follow provisional license restrictions for at least the first year. Driving curfew for new teen drivers in California is between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

If your teen was driving in violation of these rules (such as driving past curfew or carrying unauthorized passengers), consequences can include:

• Fines and citations: Monetary penalties for violating graduated license restrictions.
• License suspension or extension: Your teen’s probationary license period might be lengthened, or their permit suspended.
• Points on driving record: Accumulating points can impact future driving privileges and cause insurance premiums to increase substantially.
• Liability risk: If an accident occurred while breaking license rules, your family may face increased civil liability and out-of-pocket costs — even if another driver was at fault.

Can Parents Be Sued Personally If Their Teen Is in an Accident and At Fault?

Parents can face direct lawsuits or be held financially responsible if their teen causes a crash, with liability arising from several well-established legal principles:

• Vicarious liability: In many states (including Nevada and California), parents are legally responsible for damages caused by their minor children, especially if the teen is driving a family-owned vehicle or was given permission to use it. Ownership usually implies responsibility, regardless of who was behind the wheel at the time.
• Negligent entrustment: If a parent knowingly allows their teen to drive when unfit (such as letting them drive without a valid license, while impaired, in violation of state restrictions, etc.), they may be liable for failing to supervise or train the young driver adequately.
• Insurance shortfalls: Serious accidents that result in damages exceeding your auto insurance policy limits expose your personal assets; injured parties can pursue claims directly against you if their losses aren’t fully covered, especially in cases with multiple injured parties or severe injuries.

Given these risks, here’s actionable advice for every guardian with a teen behind the wheel:

• Thoroughly review and update your insurance coverage. Understand your liability limits and the scope of your coverage for both in-state and out-of-state incidents. Consider adding an umbrella liability policy for extra financial protection in the event of a major claim.
• Document everything related to driving and insurance. Keep records of your teen’s driver’s education, license status, driving agreements, and any communications with your insurer. Never permit your child to drive without proper insurance or while their license is suspended. This can invalidate your policy and lead directly to personal liability.
• Be proactive about risk prevention. Set clear, written family driving rules that go beyond state law and enforce them consistently. Regularly talk to your teen about responsible choices behind the wheel. Consider using tracking or monitoring apps to maintain oversight during their first year of driving.

In the immediate aftermath of any serious accident involving your teen, prioritize legal counsel and avoid making statements or admissions about fault. Let your attorney and insurance company handle all communications with other parties. Taking these steps can offer vital protection both for your finances and your family’s peace of mind.

How Can Your Insurance Be Impacted If You Have a Teen Driver in an Accident?

Insurance is one of the most immediate and long-lasting concerns after a teen-related accident. 

Key impacts include:

• Rate increases: According to recent auto insurance data, teens with a crash or violation may cause family premiums to rise by $600–$2,000 per year for up to three years, even if they were only partially at fault.
• Point surcharges: Accidents and infractions typically result in points added to both your teen’s and your family policy’s risk profile, impacting renewal costs, eligibility for preferred rates, and insurability.
• Claim denials: Insurance companies may try to deny or delay claims if violations contributed, often requiring extra documentation or legal negotiation by your attorney.

As soon as your teen is of driving age, choose your insurance policy wisely. Family policies that have higher liability limits than the state minimum may be ideal. For example, Consumer Reports references the Insurance Information Institute’s recommendation of at least $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 in liability coverage (per person/per accident/property damage) for families with teen drivers… not the bare minimums states require. Ask your agent about accident forgiveness programs or teen driver monitoring discounts.

If your teen driver is involved in a crash, here are some steps to protect your family’s coverage and minimize fallout:

• Set ground rules with your teen. Require your teen to always inform you of any citation or accident, and never allow them to drive with a suspended license or lapse in coverage.
• Report the accident promptly. Never attempt to hide incidents, as delayed reporting may void coverage.
• Give objective, fact-based accounts to both the police and your insurer. Avoid phrases such as “my child was distracted” unless appropriate after legal consultation.
• Do not admit fault. Don’t make statements that indicate fault, speculate about causes, or mention unrelated infractions when speaking with anyone other than your attorney.
• Keep a detailed record of all conversations and documents submitted. This includes medical care, property damage estimates, police reports, and witness statements.

How Teen Driver License Violations Can Affect Compensation

A common concern for parents is whether violating license restrictions affects their ability to recover compensation if their teen is in a crash. In most cases, a violation like driving past curfew doesn’t automatically bar you from filing a claim or receiving compensation. However, it can make the claims process more challenging through the following:

• Comparative Fault: Nevada and California follow comparative fault rules, meaning compensation can be reduced if your teen’s actions (like driving outside legal hours) contributed to the accident. For example, if your teen was 25% at fault due to a license violation, your family’s compensation could be reduced by that amount.
• Insurance Company Tactics: Insurers may try to argue that violating license rules shows negligence and may use this as a reason to lower, delay, or deny your claim, even if your teen wasn’t primarily or even partially responsible for the crash. So finding a competent lawyer who can fight these tactics is paramount. For example, Ash Watkins of Sam & Ash Injury Law was a former insurance defense lawyer who knows all the tricks that insurance companies use to hit their bottom line over someone’s actual well-being. Sam & Ash Injury Law has recovered over $500M for their clients and is recognized as one of the best personal injury law firms in Nevada and California. 
• Filing a Claim: You generally can still file a claim after a crash involving a license violation. However, if the violation is considered a significant contributing factor to the accident (for instance, if the crash happened during prohibited nighttime hours), insurance negotiations may become more complex.
• Civil Liability: If another party was injured, your family may be more exposed to lawsuits, and your insurance premiums could increase or coverage could be challenged.

Can My Teen Driver’s Involvement in the Crash Affect Their College or Scholarship Applications?

For many parents, this is an unexpected concern after a crash involving a teen driver. Here’s the good news: a standard traffic accident, by itself, generally does not appear on college applications or high school transcripts. 

However, there are some crucial considerations to note:

• Criminal offenses count: If your teen received a citation for DUI, reckless driving, or another criminal traffic offense, they may need to disclose this if a college or scholarship program specifically asks about disciplinary records or criminal history.
• Scholarship programs: Some programs focused on driving, safety, or character may review driving records or ask about involvement in serious incidents.

When you’re applying for colleges and scholarships with your teen after a car accident, review application questions carefully together. Be honest, proactive, and ready with all relevant information (vetted by your attorney) if a question applies to the accident. Ask your lawyer and college admissions counselors for any added input you need.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help with Claims Involving Teen Drivers

An experienced personal injury attorney is often essential when dealing with accidents involving teens breaking license restrictions. Legal counsel can:

• Investigate the facts and advocate for your side if the insurance company tries to pin excess blame on your teen.
• Negotiate with insurers to secure the maximum available compensation, leveraging legal precedent and thorough evidence gathering
• Help you understand your rights and protect your family’s interests both during the insurance claim and in any related legal proceedings.

When a teen driver is involved, insurance and liability issues get more complicated. Having a knowledgeable attorney helps ensure you aren’t unfairly penalized and that your family receives the support and compensation you’re entitled to.

Why Choose Sam & Ash Injury Law?

Sam & Ash Injury Law brings decades of experience and a customer-first approach to every case. At Sam & Ash:

• We guide you every step of the way, from setting up medical appointments to gathering evidence to dealing with insurers.
• We know the tactics insurance companies use to minimize compensation, and we’re ready to advocate for your teen’s medical and emotional needs.
• We help document every loss, from physical injuries and counseling costs to property or equipment replacement, so your claim reflects the full impact on your family.

If your teen has been affected by a car accident, contact Sam & Ash Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and negotiate for the compensation you deserve.

Call us today. Let us help you get the care and compensation that you and your family deserve.