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Why do teens cause so many car accidents?

On Behalf of | Jan 17, 2025 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Realistically, there aren’t that many teen drivers on the road compared to other age groups. These individuals, typically between 16 and 19 years old, make up only a small fraction of the population with a driver’s license. However, studies show that their motor vehicle accident risks and crash rates are higher than those of any other age group.

There are many specific reasons for this, which can vary from crash to crash. Some teenagers may be distracted by loud music or having friends in the car. Others may use their cellphones while driving. Some teens attend social gatherings where drinking or drug use is prevalent and then drive home while impaired. However, beyond these specific examples, there is one primary underlying reason for their high crash rates.

They lack experience

Teen drivers have the least experience of anyone on the road. At best, they’ve been driving for just a few years. This lack of experience leads to critical mistakes. For instance, a teen driver who is tailgating may not even realize they’re driving dangerously.

This creates something of a paradox. It might seem helpful to reduce the number of teen drivers, perhaps by raising the driving age. But would that actually help? After all, teens need time on the road to gain the experience required to become safe drivers. Unfortunately, as they work toward gaining this experience, some will inevitably cause devastating car accidents.

Seeking compensation

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a teen driver, or if you have lost a loved one in a fatal crash, it’s important to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.

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