Teen drivers have the highest rate of accidents, primarily due to their lack of experience. What happens when a teen with a learner’s permit causes an accident? Like any other accident, the answer depends on the situation’s circumstances.
Liability in Car Accidents Caused by Teen Drivers
When a teen driver is practicing in a personal vehicle accompanied by another licensed adult driver, they may be liable for any accident they cause. The family’s insurance policy should cover damages for the vehicle if the teen driver has been added as a student driver.
If a teen driver is practicing in a driving school vehicle accompanied by a driving school instructor, they may be liable for an accident if they were driving recklessly and failed to listen to the instructor. If the vehicle has dual controls and the driving instructor failed to use them to prevent an accident, the student may be only partially liable for the accident. Most driving school vehicles have dual brakes, and the instructor must use them if necessary to avoid accidents caused by student mistakes.
If a teen driver is taking their driver’s license test and causes an accident, they may be liable for any damages that occur even though they do not yet have a license. Coverage may come from the driving school and the family’s insurance policies.
If the teen driver was driving alone, the consequences could be severe as this violates the learner’s permit rules. Some insurance companies will not cover damages caused by a teen who violates the conditions of the learner’s permit. If the permit was expired, this is considered to be driving without a license. In both cases, the insurance company may identify the teen as a high-risk driver, which will be reflected in the rate for the policy when it renews.
Why Are Teen Drivers at Higher Risk for Car Accidents?
Almost all car accidents are due to driver error. Teens are likelier to engage in risky driving behaviors, like speeding, drinking alcohol, doing drugs, or using a cell phone. Even being distracted by chatting with a peer passenger is dangerous for an inexperienced teen driver, and teens are also more likely to be sleep-deprived due to their school schedule and extra-curricular activities.
While many teen drivers try to avoid risky behavior, sometimes they do not yet have the experience to make the quick judgment calls needed to prevent accidents.
West Chester Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Can Help You After a Teen-Related Collision
You may be eligible for compensation if you were injured in a car accident caused by a teen driver. To learn more, contact our West Chester car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Call 610-565-3701 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.