In California and throughout the nation, teen drivers are an understandable concern when taking to the road. Inexperience, recklessness and a lack of understanding of the intricacies of safe driving are all inherent challenges that must be overcome on the way to becoming a conscientious driver. Some teens are cautious, adhere to the rules of the road and make certain they do everything possible to keep themselves and others safe. Still, there are common behaviors teens are prone to indulge in behind the wheel. These risky behaviors should be considered when on the road and if there was a crash with injuries and fatalities.
Report says teen speeding is a nationwide problem
A recent report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) emphasizes the prevalence of teen speeding and how it can cause accidents. In the United States between 2015 and 2019, 43% of road deaths that were determined to have been due to speeding involved teen drivers. California had 453 such deaths during that time. Overall, there were 979 fatalities of teens and passengers in a crash. Speeding accounted for 46% of the fatal outcomes.
In general, almost one out of every three fatal accidents involve excessive speeds. This is a problem during normal times, but with the pandemic changing how people work, go to school and live, it has gotten worse. Less traffic and diminished enforcement has given some drivers the freedom to flout traffic laws and ignore speed limits, making the roads even more treacherous. Fatalities increased by more than 13% in the last four months of 2020 compared to 2019. In April of last year, the GHSA found that Los Angeles had certain streets where speeds had risen by up to 30%.
The aftermath of an auto accident may require legal assistance
After a crash with serious injuries or fatalities, those who have been impacted will have a lot to consider. People who have been hurt may need medical care that can be exceedingly expensive. They might never be able to return to work or care for a family as they did before. Their entire future could be radically altered in that one moment. If there is a fatality, the emotional, personal and financial challenges can be overwhelming. If the collision was due to a speeding teen driver or there were other factors involved, it can be a critical aspect of a legal filing for compensation. Gathering evidence is key and consulting with a firm experienced in motor vehicle accidents may be able to help.