Teen Driver Accidents Spike During Summer Break in Nashville
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, accidents involving teenage drivers skyrocket. With a 14 percent increase in accidents involving teen drivers, your risk of being in a crash during the summer rises. Given the drastic increase in teenage fatalities during this period, it has become known as the “100 deadliest days of driving.” Even displaying the utmost vigilance behind the wheel, your safety is in danger.
At Raybin & Weissman, we know that not every accident is preventable. If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a teen driver, our Davidson County car accident attorneys are available to help you recover financial compensation for your injuries.
Why Do Teen Accidents Increase During the Summer?
During the school year, teenagers spend eight hours per day in school, with homework consuming most of their after-school hours. Although extracurricular activities consume the remainder of a teen’s time, many of these activities are on campus. When school is out, teens are more likely to be on the roads. Having far more free time during the summer, many teens choose to take road trips with friends. With teens having teenage friends as passengers, they are more likely to be less focused on their driving.
Roughly 60 percent of teen crashes involve distraction, with the top three distractions entailing:
- Talking or attending to other passengers in the vehicle (15 percent of all crashes)
- Talking, texting, or operating a cell phone (12 percent of crashes)
- Attending to or searching for something within the vehicle (11 percent of crashes)
Pursuing a Claim Against a Teen Driver
There is no denying that adolescent drivers are relatively inexperienced, more easily distracted, and more likely to take unjustifiable risks. This creates the perfect storm for collisions. If you have been involved in an accident with a teen driver, it is crucial that you receive a medical evaluation immediately.
A same-day evaluation will preserve your right to file a claim. Davidson County has no shortage of medical facilities, which you should visit right after an accident. Even if you are showing no symptoms, you will want to see a medical professional who can document your condition.
Tennessee is an at-fault state, so bodily injury and property damage claims will be filed against the at-fault driver’s insurance. However, you do have the option to file a claim through your own insurer (in what is known as a “first party claim”). Generally, this will provide more immediate compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. Alternatively, you can file medical claims through your health insurance if needed.
Once you receive a settlement or award, your insurance company (whether it be your auto insurer or health insurance carrier) is entitled to reimbursement under the state’s subrogation law.
Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help Establish Fault
Although liability may seem obvious, you will need to show how the teen driver caused your crash. This requires presenting evidence that links the teenager’s actions to your injuries. In a car accident, this may include photos of the accident scene, video footage of the crash, eyewitness statements, and cell phone records.
Since most cell phone statements are date/time stamped, if a teen was on the phone at the time of the collision, the record will reflect that. Only by establishing fault can you recover the compensation you deserve. Thankfully, our Davidson County car accident lawyers have a successful track record in assisting injury victims and are eager to work with you.
Reach Out to Our Davidson County Car Accident Attorneys Today
With the start of summer, you can expect to see far more teens on the road. Although your concerns are valid, there is only so much you can do to prevent a crash. At Raybin & Weissman, our Davidson County car accident lawyers can gather the evidence you need to pursue compensation against an inexperienced driver. To arrange your free consultation, our office can be reached online or by calling (615) 256-6666 today.