Teen Drivers In The Summer Can Cause Personal Injury & Death

Jun 28th, 2020 | Firm News

When driving in Connecticut, there are many dangers to be concerned about. Sharing the road with teens who lack the experience and judgment to be safe drivers is certainly a factor in many auto accidents. During the summer, teens are inevitably on the road. This and the frequency of accidents has led to the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day being called the “100 deadliest days.”

What Are the Dangers of the 100 Deadliest Days?

Designating the summer as the 100 deadliest days is not done lightly. It is based on the reality of a higher chance of an auto accident in those months. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teens are especially at risk. They admit the hazards they can cause when driving. In a survey, 72% of teens age 16 to 18 confessed to the following dangerous acts behind the wheel in the previous month:

47% surpassed the speed limit in residential areas by 10 mph
40% Surpassed the speed limit on a freeway by 15 mph
35% were texting and driving
32% ran a red light
One-quarter drove aggressively
One-quarter drove drowsy
17% failed to wear a seatbelt

Across the U.S., between 2008 and 2018, there were more than 8,300 road fatalities in accidents in which teen drivers were involved. Currently, the concerns are worse because of the ongoing national health crisis, that teens are out of school, because there are fewer activities to keep them occupied and many have lost their planned summer employment. This could result in more teens on the road.

How an Injury Attorney Can Help

Even with education and attention to teen driving risks, accidents are bound to happen. People who suffer personal injury may face exorbitant medical costs, challenges returning to work and issues with getting back to normal. This can negatively impact their lives and the lives of their family. There may even be a fatality. A legal filing could be necessary to secure compensation for all that was lost. Qualified and experienced advice could be helpful when considering a case.