Teen Driving Accidents in Palm Springs

Learning to drive is an important rite of passage for most teenagers. Having a driver’s license gives a young adult a sense of independence and freedom. However, a driver’s license also brings with it a duty of care to drive responsibly so as not to endanger the lives of others on the road. Unfortunately, teenagers are not usually the best drivers, so teen driving accidents in Palm Springs occur more frequently than they should.

If you experienced harm or lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of a teenage driver, you deserve a chance to seek justice for your losses. A compassionate auto wreck lawyer from Walter Clark Legal Groups could help you navigate the complexities of a legal claim.

Local Laws for Teenage Drivers

California has enacted several laws and rules to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes involving teenagers. People who are under age 18 receive different types of driver’s licenses. Minors receive provisional driver’s licenses. With a provisional license, a teenager has the following restrictions for the first year that they have their driver’s license:

• They cannot drive at night between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am
• They cannot drive people who are under 20 years old, unless a licensed parent or guardian, California licensed driver older than 25 years old, or a certified state driving instructor accompanies them
• They cannot use a cell phone while driving, even if they operate the phone with a hands-free system

If a teen driver violates the provisional restrictions, they could face suspension of their license, points on their driver record, fines, and community service. In addition, a seasoned Palm Springs attorney from Walter Clark Legal Group could use the citation as evidence of the teenage driver’s negligence in a civil lawsuit.

Reasons Why Teenagers Are More Likely to Get into Accidents

Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to getting into automobile wrecks, particularly on weekends or at nighttime. They often act as if they are invincible and feel that nothing bad will happen to them. Consequently, they frequently engage in risky and reckless driving behaviors, such as:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Drag racing
• Weaving from lane to lane
• Failure to stop or slow down as directed by traffic signals

Teenagers are also more likely to be distracted than adult drivers. Just as they are glued to their phones while they walk around, many teenagers find it difficult to put that phone down while they drive. Talking to their friends in the car can also pose a large distraction, which is why California law regulates when teenage drivers can have passengers accompany them.

Because they are new drivers, teenagers do not know how to respond appropriately to a danger. If a child suddenly darts into the road or another emergency arises, a new driver might not be able to react fast enough to avoid an accident.

Because they are so fearless and overly confident, many teenagers do not even wear a seat belt, which can raise the risk of serious injuries in the event of a crash.

A dedicated Palm Springs teen driving crash lawyer could skillfully investigate the cause of a collision to see why it happened. The legal team could help an injured crash survivor pursue recovery of economic and non-economic damages, keeping in mind California’s Proposition 213, which restricts recovery of non-economic damages to only include people who carry their own automotive insurance coverage.

Speak With a Palm Springs Attorney After a Teenager Driver Crash

Teen driving accidents in Palm Springs can have tragic consequences for teenage drivers, their passengers, and other people on the roads. While the successful outcome of a lawsuit cannot restore you to immediate good health and return everything to how it was before the accident, a settlement or damages award could lessen your financial burden.

Speak with a knowledgeable legal professional at Walter Clark Legal Group to discover how they can assist you.