Even if teenagers exercise caution while behind the wheel, accidents can still occur. Unfortunately, adolescent motorists’ inexperience means they are more likely to make mistakes while on the roadways, which can result in injuries to others.
At Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law, we defend what matters most. If you were injured in a teen driving accident in Duluth, one of our experienced, bilingual car crash attorneys can provide you with invaluable guidance.
When Can a Teenager Obtain a Driver’s License?
A teen can obtain a provisional driver’s license at the age of 16, as long as they have held a learner’s permit for one year and one day prior to applying for a provisional license. The teen driver must also have logged 40 hours of supervised driving, with six hours being at night, as well as completed a 30-hour driver’s education course and a road test. Finally, they cannot have any major traffic violations or suspensions.
Once a teen driver meets these conditions, they can obtain a full license once they turn 18. This graduated licensing system allows them to get the experience they need to be safer drivers. However, even after meeting all of the requirements to get a license, teen driving collisions in Duluth still occur. If you were in a crash caused by a teen driver, you need to speak with one of our attorneys who can help you protect your rights after an accident.
Common Causes of Teen Driving Accidents
Teen drivers are often at a greater risk of causing accidents due to their inexperience in operating motor vehicles. Teenage drivers may not recognize roadway hazards or respond quickly in an emergency situation. Friends in the car or using their phone to text or talk can also distract new drivers.
It is also common for adolescents to follow another car too closely or speed. Consuming alcohol or other illegal substances can also increase a teenager’s likelihood of causing an accident. If you were injured in a teen driving crash in Duluth, you need to seek the legal guidance of an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Who Is Liable for a Teen Driver’s Accident?
In addition to the teen driver, the teen’s parents may also be held liable after an accident involving a teen driver in Duluth. If the teen’s parents signed the adolescent’s driver’s license or permit, the teen’s parents may be held liable for the damages if an accident occurs. The teen’s parents could be held legally responsible if they knew their teenager was driving recklessly or without a license. Additionally, the parents may be held liable if they asked their teenager to run errands such as transporting siblings to practice or another event.
If the teen driver has insurance coverage, their personal policy may cover damages so that it does not come out of the parent’s personal assets. While a driver under the age of 18 who causes an accident can be held liable and sued directly, compensation is typically sought from the driver’s parents or the insurance company.
Call Our Duluth Attorneys if You Were Injured in a Crash Caused by a Teenage Driver
Car crashes can happen, even when teens exercise caution while driving. If you were injured in a teen driving accident in Duluth, you need to make sure you understand your legal rights. One of our attorneys can answer your questions about how to proceed after a wreck.
Our bilingual team at Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law defends what matters most by helping families navigate the legal system after a wreck caused by a teenage driver. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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