THE MINNESOTA INJURY LAWYERS AT SCHMIDT AND SALITA LAW TEAM HAVE CREATED A GUIDE FOR NEW TEEN DRIVERS COVERING SAFETY ON THE ROAD.
Teen Drivers and Liability
Teen and new driver inexperience, coupled with immaturity, often results in risk-taking behaviors such as speeding, alcohol use, and not wearing a seat belt—all of which contribute to an increased death rate. In fact, teen drivers have crash rates three times those of drivers age 20 and older per mile driven. And the problem continues to grow. In 2016, the number of young drivers 16 to 20 years old involved in fatal crashes increased by 3.6 percent.
These statistics, as well as others, show that teens are among the most dangerous drivers. Many teens are irresponsible, others don’t have the experience necessary to be competent drivers. According to the National Traffic Safety Administration, for each mile driven, teen drivers are approximately four times more likely to be involved in an accident on the road. They’re also involved in four times more fatal accidents than drivers between the ages of 25 and 69. Teens account for about ten percent of the population, and twelve percent of all fatal car wrecks.
Given these statistics, the crucial question becomes, “Who is liable for these driving mistakes? The young driver? The owner of the vehicle? The teen’s parents?” The following are ways to answer that question.
A Teen Crashes a Family Vehicle
Chances are, a teen is operating a vehicle owned by the parents or guardian, who can be held liable for “negligent entrustment.” Additionally, parents can be held liable for damages while driving a family as well. But even if states don’t have this doctrine, parents may be found negligent and responsible for the damages.
A Teen Crashes a Friend’s Car
If a friend owns a car and allows a teen to drive it, that individual can be held liable for damages if an accident occurs. A driver injured by the teen may sue both the teen and the vehicle owner. However, chances are the owner or his insurance company may end up paying for damages.
An Uninsured Teen Is in a Crash
Often insurance plans have a separate policy for uninsured motorists. This is beneficial for victims, and also means that insurance companies may make the teen pay for damages. If the teen driver is on the vehicle owner’s insurance policy, both parties’ insurance companies would work out the claims based on the owner’s policy limits and coverage of damages.
But with this scenario, injured parties and their insurance companies can sue any of the parties involved – owners, teen drivers, parents – to collect damages to themselves, their vehicle, or their property.
If you live in Minnesota and have had an accident involving an uninsured teen, your next step should be to contact The Schmidt Salita Law Team.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team Handles a Wide Variety of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian car accidents, and bicycle accidents. It has many years of experience in workers’ compensation, product liability, and medical malpractice cases.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team has extensive experience with concussion injuries, traumatic brain injuries, neck and back injuries, whiplash injuries, broken bones, injured joint injuries (knee, hip, shoulder, wrist, ankle, spinal), amputation injuries, and vision and eye injuries.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team has offices through out the State of Minnesota. Its primary location is at Ridgedale Office Center in Minnetonka, near the intersection of I394 and I494. The offices are handicap accessible with ample parking.
The Schmidt Salita Team Offers Contingent Fee Arrangements
The firm offers contingent fee agreements (You don’t pay lawyers fees until you collect and then only as a percentage of the settlement). It also offers home and hospital visits to clients whose injuries present difficulty in coming to the office.
“PERSONAL INJURY WITH PERSONAL ATTENTION TO EACH CASE”.
The Schmidt Salita Law Team has locations throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Osseo, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Blaine, Shoreview, Woodbury, Falcon Heights, Columbia Park, Stillwater, Hastings, Inver Grove, Cottage Grove, South St. Paul, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Savage, Shakopee, Richfield, Bloomington, Chaska, Chanhassen, Edina, Eden Prairie, and Hopkins.