What Happens to Teenagers After a Car Accident
As new and inexperienced drivers, teenagers have one of the highest risks of getting into auto accidents among all age groups. If you are the parent of a teen who has become a new driver, you need to learn more about what happens to teenagers after they have caused or been involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Consequences to Teens Who Cause Auto Accidents
Under New Jersey’s Graduated Driving License law, teen drivers who cause auto accidents may be subject to serious penalties, including mandatory fines of at least $100 if they violate any of the restrictions of their license. In addition, county prosecutors are prohibited by law from offering teen drivers a plea deal that includes no driving record points for a moving violation.
New Jersey Teenage Driving Laws
New Jersey uses a graduated driver licensing scheme for teen drivers. Teen drivers are granted probationary licenses, which impose restrictions such as:
- May not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (except for valid religious or school activities)
- May only transport one passenger, unless the driver is accompanied by a parent or guardian or the passengers are the driver’s children
- May not use a cell phone, including in hands-free mode, or use any other hand-held electronic device
- Must display a GDL decal on any vehicle they drive
- Must ensure that all passengers are secured by seat belts or in child car seats/booster seats
Teens must hold a probationary license for at least one year and have turned 18 before they can apply for a full license that eliminates the restrictions of the probationary license.
Teenager Accident Statistics
According to data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in one recent year teen drivers were involved in crashes nationwide at a rate of 11,221 per 100,000 licensed drivers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent reports that, per mile driven, teen drivers, are nearly three times as likely as other drivers to be involved in a fatal auto accident. Teen drivers were also three times as likely to be involved in nighttime fatal accidents than drivers aged 30 to 59. Approximately 40 percent of teen deaths in motor vehicle accidents occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., while over half of deaths occur on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
What to Do If Your Teen Has Been Involved in a Car Accident
If your teen was involved in an auto accident while behind the wheel, you need to speak to a car accident attorney as soon as possible. If your teen was not at fault for the accident, you need aggressive legal representation to help your family recover compensation before the other driver or insurance company tries to pin the blame for the accident on your teen due to their age.
The injuries driver sustain after car accidents are often significant and require ongoing medical care and treatment. If your teen was injured, they need an experienced personal injury lawyer to advocate for their rights on the long road to recovery.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured because of car accidents in Middlesex, Edison, Perth Amboy, Westfield, New Brunswick, and throughout Ocean County, Monmouth County, Union County, and Middlesex County, New Jersey. Call (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3315 Route 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730 as well as offices in Red Bank, Brick, and Westfield.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
