When the keys to the family car are handed over to a teen, it’s exciting for them and terrifying for the parent! The freedom a kid has once they have their driver’s license can go to their head, sometimes causing them to cast caution aside. Then there’s the sense of immortality—that’s not going to happen to me! — often a typical attitude of young people. In fact, the first year a teenager has their license is when they have the highest probability of a car accident. Obviously, there are many good reasons to be concerned about a new teen driver.
True, it is a teen’s first real move towards freedom and independence. Undoubtedly, that’s thrilling, but their immaturity, lack of skills, and experience identify them as having the highest rate of fatal crashes among all drivers on Minnesota roads. They may speed, be distracted (especially if their friends are in the car), and make careless mistakes.
We all know that until a parent hands over the family car keys to their teenager for the first time, the child has been under adult supervision and protection throughout their life. But when they’re in a car without a parent, that protection is missing.
That’s a frightening thought for parents and other motorists alike.
Car Accidents Are The Leading Cause of Severe Injuries and Death for U.S. Teens on Minnesota Roadways
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), car accidents killed 2,500 teens under the age of 20 in 2018, that’s an average of seven young people die daily. https://www.cdc.gov/parentsarethekey/danger/index.html#anchor_1489161255
Top 10 Causes of Severe Injuries and Fatalities in Minnesota Teenage Car Accidents
#1 Driving inexperience
#2 Teen passengers in the car while driving
#3 Nighttime driving
#4 Not wearing a seat belt
#5 Distracted driving
#6 Talking or texting on a cell phone
#7 Looking at GPS
#8 Fatigued driving
#9 Reckless driving
#10 Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol
The Minnesota Department of Transportation Reports Specific Reasons for Minnesota Teen Car Accidents
To be more specific about what causes our state’s teen car accidents, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported the following 2019 statistics:
Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety – Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, 2019
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/reports-statistics/Pages/crash-facts.aspx
- Failure to yield right of way
- Erratic driving
- Following too closely
- Inattention
- Speeding
- Illegal lane usage
- Overcorrecting
- Swerving
- Illegal turn
- Improper merging
- Running red light/stop sign
- Obscured vision
- Disregarding traffic signs/road markings
- Improper backing
- Improper passing
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Darting in and out of traffic
Experienced Minnesota Teen Driving Car Accident Law Firm
Our firm is based in the Twin Cities Metro area with easy access for Eagan, Hastings, and Minneapolis clients, and we accept cases throughout Dakota County and greater Minnesota.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was caused by a teen driver, we have the knowledge, skills, and experience to pursue an insurance claim and a personal injury financial settlement for you. Though a teen driver didn’t mean to hurt anyone, that doesn’t absolve them or their parents of responsibility for an accident causing damages. Even if a teen has automobile insurance coverage, it may not cover all the expenses incurred because of their dangerous driving.
Minnesota Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You Fully Recover Your Damages
You may pursue a personal injury claim so that you or your injured loved one may recover monetary damages for past and future medical bills, ambulance charges, rehabilitation, cost of hiring household/errand assistance, loss of consortium, and more. As your personal injury Minnesota car accident lawyers, we will work tirelessly to help you acquire the money you deserve.
Time is of the Essence—You Only Have a Limited Period to File A Personal Injury Claim
You will typically have six years to file a personal injury claim, but delaying could jeopardize your case. There are even some circumstances that reduce this period to two years! With the complexity of filing a claim, it’s critical that you do it correctly. Without understanding, Minnesota’s personal injury laws and filing on time, your ability to collect damages may be compromised, or eliminated entirely.
To protect yourself when you or a loved one has been injured because of a teen’s negligence or reckless driving, you need to be trusted, experienced Minneapolis personal injury lawyers who will protect your rights and who genuinely care about you. When we work for you, it’s important that you have legal guidance to avoid claim missteps.
Sieben Edmunds Miller Lawyers Represent Clients throughout Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, and Dakota County—Contact Us Today
To understand your rights and the possibility of fair economic recovery, all you need to do right now is give the Sieben Edmunds Miller personal injury Minnesota attorneys a call at 651.323.2464 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. If you prefer, you can send us a message on our easy-to-use contact form. We’ll communicate with you quickly and provide you with a free case review and explanation of your legal options.
We look forward to helping you recover both physically and financially.
