Summer is here. School’s out, and for those Texas teenagers who are just getting their first taste of adulthood freedoms, times could not be much better. Perhaps the most significant freedom of all comes in the form in a newly minted drivers’ license. The ability to get behind the wheel of a car and take off for fun with friends and have new adventures is truly exhilarating.
Unfortunately, the same set of circumstances which provide such good times can also lead to serious motor vehicle accidents. In fact, AAA Texas reports that the summer months see a 26 percent uptick in the number of teenage traffic crash fatalities nationwide.
However, there are things that parents can do to better prepare their teenagers for the responsibility of driving. A AAA Texas/New Mexico representative recommends that newly licensed teens should have limitations set regarding the use of an automobile.
For instance, he says that for the first year, teens should only be permitted to drive alone, and not with friends. He points out that research shows that drivers, who are 16 to 17 years of age, exhibit an increase of risky behavior when they have passengers who are 21 years of age or younger on board. Further, the more passengers in the vehicle; the greater the increase in dangerous conduct.
What the studies and statistics bear out is the fact that some teens are not fully prepared for the level of responsibility required to operate a motor vehicle safely. The teens who act irresponsibly when driving pose a serious threat, not only to themselves, but also to others when on the road. There has to be accountability taken for any harm or damage they may cause due to negligent driving.
Should you, or a member of your family, have the misfortune of being in an accident due to the negligence of another driver, you may find yourself dealing with more than just the consequences of injuries and vehicle damage. The process of seeking compensation for your losses can be cumbersome and emotionally draining.
A Texas-based attorney, with the ability to perform accident investigations and follow through with proper insurance filings and necessary legal actions, may provide your best opportunity for receiving the compensation to which you are entitled.
Source: Plano Star Courier, “‘100 Deadliest Days’ for young drivers,” Brittany Feagan, June 12, 2014