Columbia Personal Injury Attorneys with Proven Results for Our Clients
Inexperienced drivers cause a significant number of car crashes each year, leading to many injuries and deaths on South Carolina’s roads. Most often, according to recent statistics, the person injured or killed is not the inexperienced driver, but rather it is someone else in his or her car or another motorist. Teenage drivers tend to drive faster and are more easily distracted, especially when riding with other teenagers, as compared to adults. Do not allow an inexperienced driver to ruin your life if you one has caused you pain and suffering from a car accident. Call the seasoned personal injury lawyers at The Solomon Law Group to schedule a free consultation. Our dedicated attorneys will fight for you if you have been injured by an inexperienced driver.
In 2012, in South Carolina alone, more than 20,000 teenage drivers were behind the wheel at the time of an accident, according South Carolina’s 2012 Collision Fact Book. Although the incidences of car crashes among teenage drivers has decreased in recent years, motor vehicle accidents remain the highest cause of death for 15 to 19 year olds. The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported in 2013 that teenaged drivers “have higher rates of crash per driver and per mile driven than any other age group.” The data shows that teens drive the most between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This is the time frame that AAA calls the “deadliest 100 days of the year” on the roads because that is the time of the year in which the frequency of car crash fatalities rises. Despite advances in licensing laws known as “graduated driver’s licensing,” the fact remains that two-thirds of all people injured or killed in an accident involving a teenage driver is someone other than the inexperienced driver, according to AAA’s 2013 study.
Various factors contribute to inexperienced drivers causing accidents. AAA research shows that speeding is the primary cause in the overwhelming majority of single car accidents. Tailgating is the primary cause for one-third of all rear-end collisions. Additionally, refusing or failing to yield is the primary cause in nearly half of all “angle” crashes. Distracted or inattentive driving is a major contributing factor in 58 percent of the crashes studied.
The study also revealed that the two most significant behaviors leading to distraction or inattention were cell phone use and interacting with passengers. The identity of the teen driver’s passengers is significant. The teen driver’s parents or other adults were passengers in less than 5 percent of the crashes. In stark contrast, 84 percent of passengers were other teenagers ranging in age from 16 to 19 years in teenage driver crashes. It is plain to see that a teenage, inexperienced driver with other teenagers as passengers is very likely to cause an accident. In addition, AAA concludes that cell phone usage is a greater contributing factor among teenage drivers than the national average.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Are Ready to Serve You
All motorists, including inexperienced drivers, are held to the same standard of care when operating a personal motor vehicle. Inexperienced drivers are not excused because of their age from responsibility if they cause an accident. The Solomon Law Group is committed to serving you and your loved ones if you suffered injuries in a car crash caused by an inexperienced driver. Call The Solomon Law Group today at 803-219-8870 to schedule your free consultation.
