Last week, we discussed some tips to keep new teen driver safe and avoid being in a car accident during their first months on the road. Here are a few additional guidelines to follow:
4) Limit the Number of Passengers
A car with three or more passengers quadruples a teen’s risk for having a car crash. Your teen needs to drive solo during his or her first 12 months behind the wheel.
5) Put Away the Cell Phone and Avoid all forms of Distracted Driving
Several studies have proven that driving while texting, checking your emails, dialing or talking on your cell phone, changing music or radio stations, all of these actions are known as distracted driving. Studies have shown that distracted driving is more dangerous than driving drunk. Again, as parents, we must lead by example; the emails and texts can wait. Ensure that your teen has full comprehension of the true dangers of driving with a phone within reach. Find a location in the car where the phone can be kept, out of sight (and sound), and make sure that this rule is followed, without exception.
6) Be Sure That Your Teen Knows What to Do in an Auto Accident
It’s the phone call that every parent dreads; your new driver has been involved in an accident. While it’s something we as parents don’t want to think about, it’s our responsibility to make sure that our teen drivers know what to do if they have been in an accident. Periodically review with your teen these guidelines:
- Immediately call 911 is anyone is injured. If everyone’s okay, assess the scene
- If possible, do not move any cars until photos have been taken
- Call the police
- Call your parents
- Get information from the other driver, including name, address, phone, license plate number and insurance carrier
- Take photos of vehicles and the accident scene
- Get names and phone numbers of witnesses
- Do not admit fault or provide any statement at the scene to anyone other than the police officer
- Write down everything that you remember after the accident and keep notes to share with your attorney
- Have your parents contact a personal injury attorney before the insurance company is called to discuss the details of your case
A young driver’s crash risk does not significantly begin decreasing until age 25. The teen driving years are a time of great freedom, but also a time of increased stress for parents, as you must trust that your teen will make good decisions behind the wheel. Good luck to you and your teen driver!
If you or your teen, or someone you know has been in a car accident and needs to speak with an attorney, please call Christopher Ligori & Associates at (877) 444-2929 or fill out our online form for 24/7 assistance.
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