Teen Driving Car Accident Lawyer in Durham, North Carolina

teenage driver

Many of us remember the excitement of being a teenager and first learning how to drive. But while getting a driver’s license is an essential rite of passage, not all teenagers acknowledge the responsibilities that come with it. Teenagers who are not careful behind the wheel can cause accidents that lead to horrific injuries, expensive medical bills, and debilitating emotional distress.

If a teenage driver hits you in Durham, the team at Kreger Brodish LLP can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. For over a decade, our firm has represented injured North Carolinians and helped them get the money they deserve when they need it the most. So let us put this experience and dedication to work on your behalf. Call us today or visit our contact page for a free consultation with a Durham teen driving car accident lawyer.

Teen Car Accident Statistics in North Carolina

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), 6,850 drivers ages 15-19 were injured or killed in accidents during one recent year. Data shows there were 6,786 injuries to teen drivers and 64 deaths. That same year, 82,886 drivers were killed or injured statewide. In other words, teen drivers accounted for more than 8 percent of all injuries and fatalities to North Carolina drivers that year.

Concerningly alcohol-related injuries and deaths are common among teen drivers. According to the NCDOT, 1,112 alcohol-related crashes involving teen drivers or passengers occurred in one recent year. These crashes led to 546 injuries and 17 deaths among teen drivers and passengers. The report also notes that alcohol-related crashes involving teens accounted for about 2 percent of all crashes statewide, nearly 17 percent of all teen crash fatalities, and 5 percent of all teen crash injuries.

Most Common Causes of Teenage Driving Accidents

Some of the most common causes of teen driving accidents in Durham include:

  • Inexperience– By definition, teen drivers have spent less time driving than almost anyone else on the road. This lack of experience can lead to an accident if a teen driver does not recognize potential dangers around them or does not react quickly enough to avoid a crash.
  • Speeding and aggressive driving– Teen drivers are more prone to speeding, a behavior that makes it harder to stay in control and avoid a collision. Teen drivers are also more likely to tailgate, turn or change lanes without using a turn signal, take turns at high speeds, and engage in other aggressive driving behaviors that can cause a crash.
  • Impaired driving– Sadly, teen drivers make up an alarming percentage of drunk driving injuries and deaths. While teenagers often hurt themselves in impaired driving accidents, they are not always the only victims of their careless decisions.
  • Distracted driving– Teenagers have poor impulse control, which can make them more prone to distractions. Teens who talk on the phone, text, adjust the music, or focus more on their passengers than on the road are more likely to cause a crash.
  • Night driving– Teens often drive at night to get to their jobs or hang out with friends. Fatigue and poor visibility contributed to many nighttime accidents.