Statistics are very clear that teen drivers are much more likely to not only get involved in car accidents but they are also more likely to get into serious or fatal car accidents. Many parents wonder: why? What can be done to reverse these scary statistics? You can keep reading to learn about some of the reasons that teens are so much more likely to be involved in car accidents. If you or your teen have been injured in an accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
Teens Are Inexperienced
One of the biggest reasons is simply that teens are inexperienced drivers. They cause more accidents than any other age group because they do not have years of experience on the road. They do not know how to respond to various situations. To keep your teen safer, take over driving in congested or complex driving situations. They should amass a good amount of driving experience in low-stress situations before they are let loose in any situation.
Teens Are Not as Good at Detecting Hazards
Part of inexperience is not knowing how to respond to certain situations, and part of it is not knowing how to detect potential hazards. Teens do not always know how to identify potential hazards on the road to react accordingly.
Teens Take More Risks
This is not just a stereotype about teens – it is science. The human brain is not emotionally mature until the early 20s. The last part of the brain to fully develop is the part that is responsible for assessing risks. As a result, teens simply do not have the brain development to accurately determine the severity of a risk. This is why they are more likely to speed and engage in other risky behaviors while driving.
Teens Are Not as Good at Assessing Danger
Just like they cannot assess risks, they do not always assess danger correctly. For example, driving very close to the car in front of you – tailgating – is extremely dangerous, yet many teens do not realize this unless they are taught. They do not assess the danger or consider what would happen if the vehicle they were following too closely was to slam on their brakes.
Call Today if Your Teen Has Suffered an Injury in a Car Accident
Of course, just because teens are statistically more likely to be in and cause an accident than are older drivers, that does not mean that teens are always at fault. In fact, if your teen is involved in an accident in which someone else is at fault, others might assume that your teen was at fault. You need an experienced personal injury attorney to fight for your teen’s rights: The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000.
