Teenage drivers are risky on Roswell roads. They have less experience than adult drivers and are more often prone to unsafe or reckless behaviors while behind the wheel. Sadly, this means Roswell teen driving accidents are common. If you or someone you love were injured because of a young driver’s actions, it’s time to speak with a Roswell teen driving accident lawyer.
Our attorneys at John Foy & Associates are here to help. We have been assisting car accident victims with their injury claims for over 20 years, and our number one goal is getting you the compensation you deserve. To schedule a FREE, no-risk consultation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Why Teen Driving Accidents Happen in Roswell
According to the Teen Drivers Factsheet of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers in the United States.
Teens at the most risk for getting into accidents are:
- Males
- Teenage drivers riding with teenage passengers and
- Teens who have gotten their license within the past few months
Here are some of the main reasons teenage driving accidents happen so often.
Risky Driving
Teenage drivers are more likely to avoid caution and engage in dangerous driving behaviors like speeding, racing, swerving, tailgating, or getting distracted by friends in the car.
Lack of Experience
Teenage drivers simply don’t have a lot of experience driving compared with adult drivers. Even if they went through the proper channels to get their driver’s license, a teenage is getting onto the road with less direct experience driving in different types of situations
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
While drinking or doing drugs and driving occurs in all age groups, teenagers are more likely to engage in this type of behavior and drive. A lot of teenagers don’t fully realize the risk of impaired driving or know their limits when it comes to drinking.
Driving While Distracted
Most teenagers today already have a cell phone, which opens them up to many different types of electronic distractions. Besides texting, checking social media, and other phone distractions, teens can also become distracted by friends in the car, eating food while driving, or simply not paying enough attention to the road around them.
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What If Your Teenager Was Injured in an Accident?
It’s important to note that not all teenagers injured in accidents are at fault. In fact, many teenagers become accident victims as a passenger in another teen’s car. Even if they were friends with the driver who caused the accident, the teen passenger was not at fault.
If you’re the parent or guardian of a teenager who was injured in an accident you didn’t cause, here are some things to keep in mind:
- If your teen was hurt and did not cause the accident, they have a valid personal injury claim with which an experienced lawyer can help.
- The police will need to be notified about the accident, and your teen might have already told officers certain details about the crash. These details could be potentially incriminating depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, so it’s best to get a lawyer as soon as possible.
- Drugs and/or alcohol might have been involved. This is, unfortunately, common for accidents involving teenagers, even if your teen wasn’t personally engaging.
- The driver is ultimately responsible, even if your teen played a part in the distraction or some other factor. Don’t let anyone shift the blame towards them just because they were in the car.
To protect your teenager’s legal rights and make sure they don’t get blamed for something they didn’t do, speak with a Roswell teen driving accident lawyer today. Our attorneys at John Foy & Associates are here to help. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to schedule a FREE consultation as soon as possible.
What to Do If You Were Hit By a Teen Driver in Roswell
If you were injured in an accident with a teenage driver, there are some things you can do to begin building your case. The following actions will help you document what happened and protect your legal rights before you speak with a lawyer.
Get Medical Attention
If you were left with life-threatening or very serious injuries, get medical attention right away. Call for an ambulance before your injuries worsen.
If you are well enough to remain at the scene and gather some information, you should still see a doctor as soon as you can afterward. It’s best to do so within 24 hours of the accident. This will create a record of your injuries and show the at-fault driver’s insurance company that you sought treatment right away. If you wait too long, it can be used against you.
Report the Accident and the Teen’s Behavior
You should always report an accident as defined by Georgia law, which means a motor vehicle collision with injuries, deaths, or $500 or more in property damage (Georgia Code section 40-9-2).
You’ll also want to tell the police about any of the teenage driver’s behavior that you witnessed. For example, if you noticed they were using their phone while driving, dancing in the car with friends, or driving recklessly right before the accident, this is important information to relay to officers.
If you notice any signs of intoxication, pay attention to them, and be sure to mention them to responding officers. You might be able to snap pictures or take a video on your phone to document the behavior.
Get Information at the Scene
Document the accident scene as well as you can.
Take pictures of your injuries, your vehicle damage, the entire scene of the accident, and anything else that you think shows what happened. If there were any potential eyewitnesses to the accident or the teen’s behavior, ask for their names and contact information. Your lawyer can reach out to them later for statements.
When you file an injury claim, it will likely be with the teenager’s parents’ insurance company. It’s best to contact a Roswell teen driving accident lawyer right away to protect your rights. The insurance company will look for ways to reduce what they have to pay you, but an experienced lawyer will know how to fight back.
Get a Free Consultation with a Roswell Teen Driving Accident Lawyer Today
Get the legal help you need after a teen driving accident in Roswell. Our attorneys at John Foy & Associates have been working these types of cases for over 20 years. We continue to be passionate about helping injury victims—including yourself—win the financial recovery they deserve.
We do not charge a fee unless we win you money, so there is no risk to you. Get started with a FREE consultation today by calling (404) 400-4000 or contacting us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form