Why Teen Drivers Cause Car Accidents

Friday, February 4, 2022

Why Teen Drivers Cause Car Accidents

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Being able to drive their own car is something every teenager looks forward to once they get their driver’s license. Unfortunately, however, teen drivers often cause accidents that may otherwise be avoided by older or more experienced drivers. If a teen driver hit you and caused you injury, you should let a lawyer evaluate your rights.

Reasons Why Teen Drivers Cause Accidents

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, teen drivers between the ages of 16 years and 19 are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle crashes than any other age group. There are several factors that contribute to this higher risk of crashes by teen drivers, which include the following:

1. Driver inexperience

As with everything else in life, people get better with a task on hand the more experience they have, and driving is no exception. Studies show that teen drivers with less than two years of driving experience do not have the proper skills and readiness to recognize and properly respond to dangerous situations.

There is a higher risk of crash accidents during the first months after earning a license. This is because newly minted teen drivers are excited to hit the roads without restrictions and often cause accidents because their driving skills are not at the level where they can always avoid the hazards of driving.

2. Distracted driving

Distracted driving is when a driver engages in any activity that takes their eyes and mind off the road, such as texting while driving, talking on the phone, trying to figure out driving directions on the navigation system, having loud music, or having a distracting chat with a passenger or passengers in the car. Any of these activities interfere with the cognitive, physical, and mental concentration that is required to safely drive a vehicle, and even a momentary distraction can lead to an accident.

3. Drinking and driving

Under Illinois’ Zero Tolerance Law, a driver who is under age 21 caught with any trace of alcohol in his or her system will lose his or her driving privileges. The penalty is severe for those drivers under the age of 21 who are charged and found guilty of DUI. However, despite all these tough laws in the books, teen drivers are routinely found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They are lucky if they are stopped before they cause an accident, but if not, the outcome is often causing an accident that results in serious injuries or death.

4. Reckless driving

Reckless driving is common among teen drivers, in part because they might not appreciate the risks of reckless conduct behind the wheel. This can mean street racing with other drivers, driving way over the speed limit, tailgating behind drivers who are obeying speed limits, and so on. These reckless behaviors while behind the wheel by teen drivers are accidents waiting to happen.

Speak with a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today

At Malman Law, we help clients who have been injured in accidents caused by teen drivers to obtain compensation for their injuries. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a teen driver, contact us today for a free consultation.

Contact a nearby car accident attorney at Malman Law.