Every time you get behind the wheel, you probably make an effort to drive safely and avoid accidents. Perhaps you practice defensive driving, anticipating mistakes from those around you. Actions like maintaining a proper following distance and adhering to traffic laws can help reduce the odds of being involved in a crash.
Unfortunately, no level of caution can completely eliminate this risk. There is always some danger from other drivers, as their mistakes can lead to unavoidable accidents, injuries or even fatalities. Statistics show that young drivers pose a disproportionately high risk on the road. Their fatal accident rate is significantly higher than other age groups. Those between the ages of 16 and 19 specifically have the highest accident rate.
Why do they pose an elevated risk?
The primary reason teen drivers have such a high fatal accident rate is their lack of experience. This inexperience often leads to mistakes that older, more experienced drivers are less likely to make.
For example, a teen driver might misjudge a safe following distance or believe it is acceptable to weave aggressively through traffic simply because they have not caused an accident yet. With time and experience behind the wheel, their driving skills will improve. Even drivers in their early 20s tend to make fewer mistakes. However, this process can take years, and young drivers cause crashes as they gain experience.
Seeking financial compensation
If you are injured in a car accident or if you lose a loved one, you may deserve substantial financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs and more. Having experienced legal guidance can help you get fair compensation.