Fatal accident rates for teenage drivers are concerning. In fact, the age group with the highest fatal accident rate is those from 16 to 19 years old. Drivers can certainly be involved in serious accidents at any age, but there’s a distinct trend where young people tend to find themselves in this position more often. Some reports even claim that the fatal accident rate for teen drivers is three times as high as it is for drivers in their 20s.
Why does this happen? Some experts will point to key mistakes that teenagers make, such as texting and driving or breaking the speed limit. They may point out that teen drivers take more risks or are more likely to listen to loud music in the car. In some cases, they drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances, leading to an accident.
But all of these issues also impact older drivers, so what is it about teens that means they crash more often?
A lack of experience
The big problem for teen drivers is that it takes time to gain experience in the car. Driving is difficult, a more complicated skill than many people realize. Mistakes are inevitable for these inexperienced drivers.
Unfortunately, this is a difficult problem to fix. Teens do need more experience, which is why drivers in their 20s are significantly safer. But the only way for them to get it is to climb behind the wheel and spend time on the road. As they do so, some of them will make errors and cause accidents that lead to catastrophic results.
If you have lost a loved one or suffered serious injuries in a car accident caused by someone else, you may have a right to substantial compensation. Get in touch with our experienced team at Quinn Law Firm by dialing 814-833-2222 to set up a consultation.
