If you were involved in a crash with a teen driver, our Tampa auto accident lawyers would evaluate your circumstances. Next, they will build a case to secure fair compensation for your damages.
Trust us to handle your case as you concentrate on your recovery. Our lawyers will work to determine the accident’s cause, identify all liable parties, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents Among Teens
As young drivers, teens are vulnerable and have a higher chance of getting into a car crash than other age groups. This is due to a combination of factors, including lack of experience, impulsive behavior, and a tendency to engage in distracted driving activities such as texting while behind the wheel.
Some of the most common causes of teen driving accidents include:
Texting While Driving
Teen drivers are subject to unique risk factors that experienced drivers often avoid, and many of them contribute to liability. For example, using portable electronic devices, such as tablets and cell phones, has a higher percentage of teen driving involved than other age groups.
This means teen drivers may engage in dangerous acts of distracted driving, such as texting their friends while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. According to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), 37 states and the District of Columbia prohibit cell phone use by teen motorists or novice drivers.
Yet, handheld cell phone use continues to be highest among those aged 16-24. As such, this age group is responsible for reducing the risks of distracted driving accidents by engaging in safe driving behaviors that promote a lucid and rational approach to the roads.
Drunk Driving
Many teens become curious about alcohol and other impairing substances, whether it be due to peer pressure or just curiosity. Unfortunately, many teens drink alcohol and choose to drive, not realizing how it will affect them.
While intoxicated, teen drivers may think they’re driving well, but they’re likely driving erratically, which could result in a crash.
Not only is drinking and driving dangerous, but it’s also illegal regardless of age. Alcohol impairs reaction time and the ability to make decisions, two crucial parts of driving. Also, when teens drink alcohol, it could damage their brain function leading to other issues later in life.
Poorly Maintained Vehicles
Teen driving mishaps are also known to stem from operating poorly maintained vehicles. Unfortunately, for many youthful drivers, their initial car isn’t always the latest or the most pristine model.
This often leads to unaddressed mechanical issues, including faulty brakes, worn tires, or deteriorated suspension components, potentially compromising the safety and handling of the vehicle.
If a teen gets into an accident knowing their automobile has an issue, they could be held responsible. This is because knowingly driving a poorly maintained vehicle is considered a negligent act and can result in legal consequences.
Injuries You Can Suffer When a Teen Driver Hits You
The severity of teen driving accident injuries is often greater due to the driver’s lack of experience. Some injuries may require extensive medical care, which can be expensive. Some of the injuries you can sustain include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): The effects of traumatic brain injuries can be devastating, and the consequences of a serious accident involving a teen driver in Tampa can be life-altering. A TBI’s physical, emotional, and financial repercussions can be severe and long-lasting, affecting the victim and their family for years to come.
- Internal injuries: Injuries to internal organs, such as those caused by a teen driver auto accident, can have serious and long-term consequences. Internal injuries can cause significant pain and suffering, requiring extensive medical care. In some cases, they can lead to permanent disability or even death.
- Neck injuries: Injuries to your neck caused by auto accidents can have serious and long-lasting impacts on a person’s health and well-being. Symptoms of neck injuries include pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling sensations, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. In some cases, neck injuries can lead to permanent disability or paralysis.
- Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to your spinal cord can be catastrophic, and a serious accident can lead to life-altering consequences. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and chronic pain. They also often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation that may extend over many years.
- Broken bones: Breaking a bone can be extremely painful and may require extensive medical care to heal properly. In some cases, broken bones from a teen-driver-related crash may result in permanent physical limitations and affect your ability to earn a living.
- Burns: Severe burns can be extremely painful and require extensive medical care to heal properly. Burns can cause disfigurement, scarring, and even death.
- Whiplash:Whiplash can cause chronic medical conditions, ranging from neck and back pain to headaches, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. Sometimes, whiplash can also lead to psychological issues such as depression or anxiety.
If you were injured in a crash, you should seek medical attention to ensure that your injuries are treated properly. You could develop more serious or even fatal injuries without proper treatment.
Know the Statutes of Limitations That Apply to Your Case
Some state-specific laws and statutes of limitations may impact your ability to seek legal help after an accident resulting inpersonal injury. For example, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), you generally have four years to file a Florida accident claim.
By getting in touch with our auto accident attorneys, you can avoid the legal constraints of these laws and statutes. Furthermore, your case may not settle out of court.
If this happens and the insurance company or liable party won’t accept a fair settlement, your lawyer needs time to build a court case for your teen driving accident case.
If you wait to file your case and the insurer refuses to pay you an adequate settlement, there may not be enough time to construct a robust case. In addition, the court can bar you from seeking compensation if enough time passes. In short, the sooner you contact our firm for support, the better.
How We Determine Liability in a Teen Driving Crash
To hold the negligent parties accountable, we must prove the four elements of negligence. We do this by using the evidence available at the accident scene. The elements of negligence include:
Duty of Care
Regardless of their experience level of driving, every driver has a legal duty of care. When drivers on the road have a duty of care, it means they’re required to exercise the amount of care a reasonable person would and use caution to avoid causing accidents or harming other drivers.
When teen drivers fail to follow the duty of care and cause an accident, they can be held liable for any damages or injuries resulting from the crash. They cannot argue that they didn’t know they had an obligation to drive safely because it’s implied when you’re a driver on the road.
Breach of Duty
The second element of negligence our Tampa personal injury lawyer must prove is that the at-fault driver breached the duty of care. When drivers disregard their duty of care, it is due to either a negligent act or failure to act in a manner that would have safeguarded other drivers.
Some common ways teen drivers breach their duty of care include disobeying traffic laws, driving impaired, and operating a vehicle while tired. Any of these actions could result in an accident that could cause severe injuries to the driver and other parties involved.
Causation
The third aspect our lawyers must establish is the party’s accountability for your injuries. Again, our team will provide evidence demonstrating the at-fault driver’s culpability.
For example, we could gather evidence such as traffic cam footage, expert witness statements, and photos of events leading up to the accident.
Then when we meet with the insurance company, we will present our evidence to prove the negligent party was responsible for the accident.
Damages Suffered
The final element of negligence we must prove is that you’ve suffered damages from the accident and your injuries. There are two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are losses you suffer that have a dollar value attached. Non-economic damages are losses that lack a quantifiable value.
You can still receive money for non-economic damages despite not having a dollar value. If our lawyers can prove all four elements of negligence, you may have grounds for an insurance claim against the negligent party. In addition, we can help determine what parties are responsible for your injuries.
Damages You Can Recover After a Teen Driving Crash
Depending on several factors, such as the cause of the accident and its severity, the liable party may owe you various financial compensation.
Some forms of compensation you may collect include coverage of the following:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Loss of limbs
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs
- Emergency medical services
- Prescription medications
- Assistive medical devices
Your experienced teen driving accident lawyer in Tampa will work to determine your eligibility for these recoverable damages and any additional forms of compensation.
We will assess your damages and seek an amount that fairly covers your losses. We will not let the insurance company lowball you.
How Will a Teen Driver Accident Lawyer From Our Firm Help You?
Whether your accident happened on Brandon Boulevard, Hillsborough Avenue, or another dangerous road in Tampa, we want to serve you. Therefore, we will collect and preserve all accident-related evidence and fight on your behalf as we identify the negligent party and hold them responsible for their actions.
As a victim, we believe you should not suffer additional harm after an accident. Therefore, we are here to defend your rights and pursue monetary compensation you may be entitled to collect after a teen driver accident.
We Do All the Heavy Lifting
If necessary, we can file your insurance claim and negotiate with the claims adjuster for a substantial settlement. However, if settlement negotiations are not successful, we have no problem with taking the next step and making your case in court.
If hiring a medical expert or accident reconstructionist could benefit your case, we will not hesitate to do so. We will also calculate your damages and value them, so we know the amount of compensation to pursue.
We Are Here To Spare You the Task of Communicating With All Involved Parties
Any number of reckless, distracted, or negligent behaviors may place the blame for an accident on a teen driver. When young drivers cause an accident, their insurance companies and parents or guardians will get involved.
Victims who try to negotiate with these parties alone are often met with resistance and difficulty along the way.
This is where our Tampa teen driving accident attorney can step in to assist you. We will take care of any essential communications with parents, drivers, insurance agents, law enforcement, and any other parties related to your case on your behalf.
Furthermore, your lawyer will work to investigate the situation thoroughly, leading to the identification of a liable party.
Your lawyer can collect cellphone records, videos, photos, police reports, and other evidence in their investigation. They will also consider any local, state, or federal laws that affect your case.
Why Choose Us To Represent You?
First, you will never be in the dark about your case’s progress. We will stay in touch and update you on your case as it progresses. In addition, you will have your lawyer’s phone number, so you can call anytime to ask questions.
Next, we can help get your car fixed and schedule appointments if necessary. Finally, we work on a contingency fee. This means you pay nothing upfront; if we win, we deduct our fees from your settlement, not your pockets.
However, if we don’t win, we don’t get paid. With this arrangement, you never have to worry about losing money and enduring additional financial damage.
Contact Our Teen Driver Accident Lawyers in Tampa
Being involved in an accident with a teen driver can leave you with several interconnected problems. When combined with financial stress and personal injuries, legal hurdles will likely create even greater troubles for you and your loved ones.
When you hire one of our Tampa teen driving accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to work on your case, you can free yourself to focus on healing. Call now or fill out the contact form on our website for your free consultation with a compassionate team member. During this consultation, you will learn your options, rights, and how to proceed.
We Can Help.
