Dunwoody
Teen Driving Accident Lawyer

Teen drivers in Dunwoody have less maturity and experience compared to adult drivers. Teenagers are more likely to make careless mistakes on the road. And those mistakes can lead to severe injuries or worse.

Teen drivers haven’t had a license for very long. They haven’t yet learned to identify and avoid dangers like older drivers. But teens still have a duty not to cause harm. If a teen causes an accident, they are responsible.

If you or a loved one were injured in a teen driving accident, a trusted lawyer can help. John Foy & Associates has 20-plus years of experience helping accident victims.

To discuss your case during a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.

Why Teens Are Risky Drivers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidents are the leading cause of teenagers’ death. Accidents make up about half of all teen deaths. Auto accidents happen too often with young drivers, for reasons like:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Inexperience
• Speeding
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Late-night driving

Let’s look more closely at some of these causes.

Distracted Driving

Teenagers are easily distracted by:

• Texting
• Music streaming
• Social media apps
• Other teen passengers

Distracted driving is a problem even in adult drivers. But teens are more likely to give in to distractions. They tend to have more trouble paying attention to the road when distractions exist.

Drunk Driving

According to the CDC, drivers between ages 16 and 20 are 17 times more likely to die in an accident when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% than when sober. A BAC of 0.08% is the legal limit for drunk driving.

Teenagers are still growing and developing. They are more likely to make careless mistakes like drunk driving. Tragically, choosing to drink and drive has severe or deadly consequences.

Inexperience

Teenagers just don’t have the same experience as adult drivers. Their inexperience can lead to more accidents while driving.

Speeding

Teen drivers are more likely to go above the speed limit. Speeding and driving aggressively always increases the risk of an accident.

Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates have handled countless teen driving accident cases. If you or a loved one were injured in a teen driving accident, we know what to do. Schedule a free consultation by calling (404) 400-4000.

Responsibility for Teen Driving Accidents

When a driver causes an accident in Dunwoody, their insurance company covers the costs. However, it’s more complicated when a teen driver is at fault.

Teen drivers are usually covered by their parents’ insurance. Suppose someone sues a teen driver for injuries or death. In that case, the parents might also face a lawsuit under the family purpose doctrine. Under this doctrine, someone can be liable for the actions of their child.

The family purpose doctrine applies if:

• The parent owns or has control over the vehicle
• The parent made the car available for family use
• The teen driver is a member of the parent’s immediate household
• The parent permitted the teen to drive the vehicle

Most teens drive a car or truck their parents have provided. They will also be under their parents’ auto insurance. So, if a teen driver caused your accident, you can usually file a claim with the insurance company covering the vehicle.

If you need to sue for damages, you might have a case against the teen and their parent(s).

What to Do After a Teen Driving Accident

After an accident, it can be hard to think straight. You might have painful injuries, and your body is in fight or flight mode. But try to stay calm and complete these steps.

Focus on the Present

You might be angry that the crash happened, but unfortunately, you can’t reverse time. Take some deep breaths and focus on the current situation. Access the scene. Check on yourself, your passengers, and the other driver(s).

If your car is in the way of other traffic, move it away to a safe spot.

Get Medical Attention

Get help if anyone has severe injuries—call 911 for an ambulance. If your injuries don’t need emergency treatment, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Even if you feel okay, see a doctor. Minor injuries can worsen quickly. Plus, waiting to get treatment will affect your insurance claim. The insurance company won’t give you a fair offer without documentation of your injuries and treatment.

Report the Accident

When everyone is safe, call the police. Tell the police that you’ve been in an accident. Officers should create an accident report, of which you’ll need to get a copy.

Gather Information

Get as much information as you can from the scene. Exchange the following with the other driver:

• Contact information
• Insurance information
• Driver’s license numbers

Talk to any eyewitnesses. Ask about what they saw, and get their contact information. Use your phone to take pictures of your injuries and vehicle damage. Photograph the whole accident scene.

If you didn’t cause your accident, you have a right to compensation. You will need to build a personal injury case to seek financial recovery. Talk to an experienced Dunwoody teen driving accident lawyer today about your options.

Your lawyer will help with all of the above and more. They’ll make sure you know your rights and how to best fight for what you deserve.

Speak with a Dunwoody Teen Driving Accident Lawyer Today

Car accidents are stressful at any age. Whether a teen driver caused your accident or your teen was injured in a crash, it’s important to know your rights. You might be eligible for compensation, but don’t wait to get started.

Injury cases can take months or years to resolve. If you wait too long, you could lose your chance to recover. Help yourself by speaking with an experienced lawyer about your legal options.

John Foy & Associates has been helping accident victims for over 20 years. We believe that each injured client deserves maximum recovery. We’re not afraid to fight for your rights. Get started with a FREE consultation by calling (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.