Even the most careful teens have an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, as compared to more experienced drivers. Such collisions may result in serious injuries or death for the teenage drivers and their passengers, as well as for the occupants of other involved vehicles.
A teenager driving at a high rate of speed caused a fatal car accident on north Lamb Boulevard near Kell Lane recently. The 16-year-old driver, who suffered injuries in the wreck, was not licensed. The 54-year-old and 67-year-old occupants of the other involved vehicle died at the scene.
Getting behind the wheel of a car is a major responsibility for teens, and adults, in Nevada. If you are injured, or lose a loved one, in a motor vehicle collision with a teenage driver, you have options. To discuss your case, call our experienced car accident attorney at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices today at 702-388-2005. We offer FREE initial consultations.
Teenage Driving Risk Factors
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drivers between the ages of 16-years-old and 19-years-old have the highest risk of motor vehicle crashes of any age group. This increased risk is due to several factors, some of which are unique to or particularly prevalent among teens.
Immaturity and Lack of Experience
Without driving history, teenage drivers lack experience recognizing and responding to dangerous situations. This, and immaturity due to their age, may lead to difficulty managing unexpected road conditions, poor judgment of stopping distances and speed, and slower reaction times in emergency scenarios.
Distractions
For young drivers not as accustomed to operating motor vehicles, distractions are common and can increase the risk of them causing serious or deadly auto accidents. Distractions that teens face behind the wheel include:
- Multiple passengers
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Using cell phones
- Adjusting the music or vehicle controls
When engaged in any of the types of distracted driving in Las Vegas, teens may not see or have time to safely react to traffic situations, hazards, or emergencies.
Speed
Teenagers are more likely to speed, which increases their risk of accidents. For example, they may drive too fast for the conditions, race or drive competitively, take curves too fast, or roll through stop signs.
Speeding can reduce drivers’ reaction time, making it more difficult for them to avoid crashes. At higher rates of speed, such collisions are more likely to result in serious injuries or death.
Drug or Alcohol Impairment
Some teens may engage in drug or alcohol use, which can lead to impairments that affect their ability to safely drive. Drug or alcohol use can cause impaired judgment, decreased coordination, and slowed reaction time. Such substance use may also result in increased risk-taking for teens, such as speeding or driving aggressively.
Drowsiness
Growing and taking on new life responsibilities, it is common for teens to be drowsy or fatigued. Behind the wheel, drowsiness can impair their ability to pay attention to the road and react to hazards. Drowsiness can also cause slower reaction times, making it more difficult to avoid serious motor vehicle collisions.
What Are the Consequences of Teen Driver Accidents in Las Vegas?
Teen driver accidents, such as the recent on Lamb Boulevard, can have life-changing consequences for victims and their families. The impact of these wrecks extends far beyond the immediate aftermath, altering the lives of those involved for years to come.
Injuries and Deaths
Teen drivers, often inexperienced and prone to risk-taking, can cause severe injuries to themselves their passengers, and other motorists. These injuries can range from broken bones and internal injuries to traumatic brain injuries and paralysis. Worse, teen driver accidents may also result in death, leaving families struggling with the unexpected loss of a loved one.
Emotional Trauma
Victims of teen driver accidents may suffer from severe emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Families of victims may experience profound grief and loss, particularly if a loved one has been killed. The emotional scars of a serious auto accident can last for years, affecting the mental health and well-being of those involved.
Financial Burden
The toll of teen driver-caused collisions extends beyond physical and emotional. Victims may also incur financial losses. These losses include medical expenses for the costs of hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
Those injured in teen driver accidents often require time off work, resulting in lost wages. In some cases, they may not be able to return to their former jobs or duty levels, which can lead to lost earning capacity. A Las Vegas car accident lawyer can review victims’ losses, as well as the circumstances of their accidents, and advise them on the best course of action.
Can You Seek Damages for Teen Driver-Caused Accidents?
Like auto accidents caused by drivers in other age groups, those injured in motor vehicle collisions involving teenagers may have the right to seek compensation for their associated losses through the Nevada personal injury process. To successfully recover non-economic and economic damages, they will need to prove that the teen driver owed a duty of care to the injured party, breached that duty, caused the injuries because of the breach, and led to losses. The losses for which victims may recover compensation include lost wages, lost earning capacity, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Some may have conflicted feelings about pursuing compensation in a teen driver-caused accident case. However, recovering damages is about making sure victims have the resources they need as they recover, not punishing the at-fault driver.
Can You Hold Parents Financially Liable for Their Teens’ Actions?
In Las Vegas, parents can be held financially responsible for car accidents caused by their teenage children under certain circumstances. Through the legal doctrine of vicarious liability, parents may be held liable for up to $10,000 in damages if their children willfully cause injuries or property damage. If parents neglect to properly supervise their children, however, they may be responsible for damages beyond the $10,000 limit. The damages cap is also lifted for parents who sign their children’s driver’s license applications, making it important to ask, “Is your teen ready for the road?” before letting them take on the responsibility of driving.
When Are Parents Responsible for Teen Drivers in Las Vegas?
Several factors play a role in determining parental liability in such cases. Among these, ownership of the vehicle and giving permission to drive are two primary factors. As vehicle owners, people may be liable for damages resulting from crashes caused by others whom they let drive their vehicles, which extends to parents and their teenage drivers. Further, parents may be responsible in cases when they explicitly allow their teens to drive or know their child is likely to drive without direct permission.
Parents can also be held responsible for their teens’ actions based on negligent supervision. For example, this may include not enforcing curfews, letting unlicensed teens drive, or not monitoring teens’ driving habits. If parents fail to adequately supervise their children’s driving habits or do not take reasonable steps to prevent them from driving recklessly, then they may be liable for resulting injuries. In the event of fatal accidents caused by teen drivers, such as that which occurred recently, Las Vegas Wrongful Death lawyers can help families pursue compensation for their losses.
How Can Parents Promote Safe Driving?
Parents play a vital role in promoting safe driving habits among their teenage children, helping to keep them and those with whom they share the road safe. Steps they should take toward this end include:
Setting Clear Expectations
To help ensure their teens are safe as they take on the responsibility of driving, parents should set clear expectations. For example, they may discuss the importance of responsible driving and the consequences of reckless behavior behind the wheel. Parents may also set rules regarding driving, including curfews, passenger restrictions, and phone use.
Leading by Example
Practicing safe driving practices themselves is one of the most important steps parents can take to keep their teens safe behind the wheel. Leading by example for their teenage drivers may include always buckling up and obeying the traffic laws. Further, they should avoid engaging in risky behaviors, such as speeding or texting while driving.
Encourage Defensive Driving
When instructing their teens how to drive, parents should encourage defensive techniques. For instance, they should teach their teens to maintain safe following distances, scan the road for potential hazards, and anticipate the actions of other drivers.Car accidents, whether caused by teenage drivers or seniors, can leave people struggling with serious injuries and financial fallout. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision in Las Vegas, you have options. To discuss your case, call our dedicated personal injury lawyer at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices for a free initial consultation at 702-388-2005.
