The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that as of 2020, more than 800,000 Florida residents between the ages of 15 and 19 were licensed drivers. FLHSMV also notes that in 2019, teenage drivers were involved in over 47,000 accidents statewide.
Although some of these accidents did not result in injuries, thousands of these crashes did cause injuries to the drivers and passengers involved, and others, such as pedestrians and bicyclists. Largely due to inexperience, distractions, and impaired driving, this group of drivers poses a threat to the occupants of other vehicles. If you or a loved one were injured in this type of vehicle crash, a Sarasota teen driver accident lawyer might be able to help.
Although they may be younger than the average adult driver, teen drivers do not receive special treatment under state law when they cause accidents. Just like adult drivers, teen drivers are liable for the costs of any injuries in accidents that they cause. Injured parties may be able to pursue compensation from the teen drivers who cause their accidents by enlisting the assistance of the attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Contact our offices at 1-800-747-3733 and learn more about your ability to recover compensation for your injuries following an accident with a teen driver.
Filing Claims Against Teen Drivers
Florida Statutes 324.021 requires that all drivers maintain a minimum level of vehicle insurance, which includes $10,000 in property damage and $10,000 in bodily injury insurance coverage. State law refers to this form of insurance as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Since Florida is a no-fault state, people who suffer minor injuries in a car accident can file a claim with their PIP policies, up to the limits of those policies, regardless of which driver is at fault for the accident.
However, in the case of severe accidents that result in permanent or catastrophic injuries, $10,000 to cover the costs associated with bodily injuries is unlikely to be sufficient. These injury victims can pursue the driver who was at fault for the accident by filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
Furthermore, in the case of a teen driver who is under the age of 18, the teen’s parents likely will be responsible for the financial consequences of a wreck that injures others. Under Florida Statutes 322.09, parents or guardians must sign any applications for driver permits and licenses for minors. By signing consent to allow their teenager to legally drive, the parents or guardians become jointly liable for the teenage driver’s negligent or careless actions.
The consequences that parents might experience when their teen causes a motor vehicle accident can include damages not covered by insurance, out-of-pocket expenses, and increases in vehicle insurance premiums. Since determining fault and identifying the appropriate parties in a legal claim can be complicated, contacting a Sarasota teen driver accident lawyer for help may be wise.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 to speak with a team member today.
How a Teen Driver Accident Lawyer Can Help
People involved in minor car accidents that do not result in significant injuries can likely resolve low-cost claims through their insurance companies. However, when permanent disability or severe injuries occur due to a teen driver accident, the situation likely becomes much more complex.
While you want to seek the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled following an accident, the insurance company for the at-fault driver wants to minimize its responsibility and keep your payout as low as possible. These competing interests can make severe accident claims more difficult to resolve.
Dealing with medical bills, insurance claims, loss of income, and legal matters can be particularly overwhelming as you struggle to deal with the physical and mental trauma of a serious accident. By contacting our offices, you allow us to remove some of the pressure that you may experience during this challenging time. As your lawyers, we can:
- Document your injuries through medical records
- Gather medical bills and records of other injury-related expenses
- Contact and interview witnesses to the accident
- File insurance claims and negotiate with insurance companies
- File the legal paperwork necessary to pursue a lawsuit against the other parties, if needed
Together, we can work to hold the teen driver who caused your accident, along with their parents or other responsible parties, accountable for their negligent actions. We can gather the evidence necessary to prove your claim and support the valuation of your losses.
By taking these actions on your behalf, we may be able to obtain compensation for your losses. Potential items of compensation in a vehicle accident case may include medical bills, lost income, and permanent disability. Together, we can determine the legal strategy that is likely to be most effective in meeting your goals.
Explore Your Legal Options Following an Accident
The youth and inexperience of teen drivers can lead to motor vehicle accidents that cause devastating injuries to you and your loved ones. When a teen driver is at fault, you may have legal recourse to seek compensation for your losses related to the accident.
However, you may not know where to start, especially when you are contending with physical injuries, mental trauma, and mounds of paperwork. Fortunately, a Sarasota teen driver accident lawyer may be able to help. You can explore the full range of legal options available to you and decide upon the course of action that is best for you and your family.
When you have been injured in an accident, you have the right to hold the responsible persons accountable for their actions. Seeking compensation through legal claims is not always an easy process, but the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can guide you every step of the way. We can explain the procedures and purpose of each stage of the process so that you have a better understanding of your legal claim. Call our offices at 1-800-747-3733 and take the first step toward getting the compensation for which you are eligible.
We Can Help.
