If your teen was involved in an auto accident in San Jose, California, and you know that he or she was not to blame, then there is the possibility of filing a claim and receiving compensation for his or her injuries. Fortunately, the crash was not fatal because many crashes that involve teen drivers, especially when the teens themselves are negligent, are.
Knowing about the 100 deadliest days
Every year, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the number of fatalities that arise from teen driving crashes tends to go up. For this reason, safety experts refer to this period as the 100 deadliest days. Between 2008 and 2018, there were more than 8,300 such fatalities during the 100 deadliest days, which comes to over seven fatalities for each day of summer.
It’s understandable that this period would be so dangerous for teens because it coincides with summer break. Teens are out on the road more frequently and, perhaps, going to parties where drugs and alcohol are available.
Negligence among teen drivers
Teens are notorious for being unsafe drivers. Perhaps your teen was not entirely to blame for the crash but still shared some of the fault. This may not bar you from filing a claim, but it will lower the amount recoverable in damages.
One must consider the common ways that teen drivers are negligent. In AAA’s Traffic Safety Culture Index, 72% of respondents from the ages of 16 to 18 admitted to unsafe driving in the previous 30 days. Among these, 87% admitted to speeding either in a residential area or on the freeway. Thirty-five percent admitted to texting, 32% to blowing past red lights and 31% to aggressive driving.
Local representation from a lawyer
Filing a claim can be hard without a lawyer who regularly works in cases involving motor vehicle accidents. You may want the lawyer to evaluate your case and determine how much you might be eligible for in a settlement. The lawyer may even negotiate on your behalf with the auto insurance company, leaving litigation as a last resort.
