The minimum driving age is 16 in Alabama, and getting a license is a rite of passage for most people. However, teenagers cause a disproportionate share of collisions. Because they have less experience behind the wheel and struggle with more distractions, teen drivers can crash and injure their passengers as well as innocent people. Call The Harris Firm to speak with a car accident lawyer.
Teens Cause 8.5% of All Car Accidents in the United States
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 8.5% of all accidents have a teenage driver. For the sake of comparison, only about 5% of drivers are teenagers, which means they get into 60% more accidents than you would expect.
Teens Are More Prone to Distractions
The Centers for Disease Control report that 39% of teens have sent text messages or emails while driving. These are very risky behaviors. Texting removes at least one hand from the steering wheel, and reading the phone screen takes your eyes off the road.
Another risk is cognitive distraction—meaning, a person’s mind is still thinking about the message they read or composed long after they are finished. Even if the driver is looking at the road, they might be so distracted they can’t process what is happening right in front of them.
Teens Take More Risks
This isn’t surprising. Teens who have friends in the car with them are prone to acting out. They might speed or pass illegally or take other risky maneuvers.
For this reason, Alabama adopted a Graduated Driver’s License law. Any 16-year-old with a license, as well as some 17-year-olds who have had a license for less than six months, are restricted in the following ways:
- Cannot drive between midnight and 6:00 am unless they have an adult with them or are traveling because of work or a school event.
- Cannot have more than one non-family member in the car with them.
- May not drive while using a handheld device.
These rules should limit distractions and risk-taking, which protects the public.
What if You Are Hit by a Teen Driver?
Teens should be covered by insurance, even if they are driving their parent’s vehicle. A person cannot register a vehicle in Alabama unless they provide proof of insurance. Drivers must have liability insurance, which pays to cover the injuries and damages suffered by other people.
We have helped many people struck by teenage drivers. You can submit an injury claim on their insurance and seek compensation for:
- Car damage and other property damage
- Medical bills to treat your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages or income
A teen might not know what to do after an accident, so it’s critical to call the police and report the crash. This way, an officer should respond to complete an accident report.
Call Us to Discuss Your Injury Claim
The Harris Firm is eager to help anyone hurt in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence. Call us today at (205) 578-6470.