Teen Driving Accidents in Rancho Mirage
Unfortunately, teenagers are not always the most responsible people. They tend to be impulsive and reckless, which can have bad consequences when they are behind the wheel of a car. Teen driving accidents in Rancho Mirage frequently have devastating effects that change the lives of the teenage driver, their passengers, and anyone else involved in a crash.
If a teenage driver struck and injured you or your family member, you likely have grounds to pursue a legal claim in a civil lawsuit. The risk of automobile accidents is significantly greater with people aged 16-19 than it is with almost all other age groups. Teenage drivers get into auto accidents for several reasons.
Our team at Walter Clark Legal Group could help you fight for fair compensation for the losses you suffered due to the crash, regardless of the cause.
Inexperience Leads to Accidents
Inexperienced drivers are dangerous. They often underestimate the severity of situations while simultaneously overestimating their own driving abilities. For instance, when the driver in front of them slows down or stops, a teenage driver might wait too long before braking because they do not know how long it takes to come to a full stop. A teenager might assume that they have the hazardous situation under control when they really do not. New drivers do not know how to recognize and anticipate problems. An experienced driver knows to look around at all times, so they are aware of everything occurring around them.
It takes years before people learn what to do in all types of dangerous driving circumstances. Although California law has a provisional licensing program that requires teenage drivers to undergo driver’s education classes and sign up for supervised driving hours, those classes do not make up for what teenagers lack in actual road experience.
Distracted Driving Causes Crashes
People today are considerably more distracted than in the past. In today’s digital age, many feel the need to stay connected at all times, so they use their cell phones even while driving. Unfortunately, because so many teenagers are glued to their phones, they are even more likely to text or check social media while driving. Teens are also more apt to eat snacks or fiddle with the radio. Teens also like to drive with their friends, which can be problematic when they turn their heads around to look at their passengers instead of keeping their eyes on the road.
The Rancho Mirage attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group could perform a detailed investigation of the collision to search for answers and prove the teenager was distracted at the time of the crash.
Teens Who Drive Drunk Are Dangerous
Although teenagers cannot legally drink alcohol, far too many drink and then drive. Combining drinking with a teenager’s driving inexperience can lead to devastating consequences.
Unlike with older drivers, there is no blood alcohol level for teenagers that is legally permissible. Any evidence of alcohol use would be proof of that teenage driver’s negligence.
A proactive Rancho Mirage teen driving accident lawyer could follow the correct procedural channels to obtain copies of the teenager’s medical records showing their blood alcohol levels.
Call a Rancho Mirage Attorney After a Teen Driving Car Crash
Teen driving accidents in Rancho Mirage are often heartbreaking. Nobody wants to blame a teenager for causing an accident because they are still a child. However, when they engage in adult activities like driving, they also need to assume the responsibilities that come along with a driver’s license. If a teenager causes a wreck, they should be legally responsible for the consequences.
Call the compassionate and understanding lawyers at Walter Clark Legal Group to discuss how to proceed with a claim.
