If you have been injured in a Bridgeport teen driving accident, a lawyer can help oversee the claims process for recovering all damages you have suffered. Bert McDowell Injury Law has been a locally trusted firm for years, helping countless members of the community just like you and your family through litigation.
Your initial consultation at Bert McDowell Injury Law is completely free, and we promise never to charge any upfront fees for representation. In personal injury settlement cases like a teen driving accident, our firm works on contingency, meaning we don’t get paid until you receive a payout, taking an agreed-upon percentage of the client’s monetary reward as compensation.
If we don’t recover any money for you, you owe us nothing!
There is also no obligation to continue with our services when you schedule an initial consultation. You can learn more about the claims process, what damages you could be eligible to receive, and how our Bridgeport car accident attorneys help raise your chances of success.
To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation, call (203) 590-9169 or contact us online today.
Why Should an Accident Victim Consult a Teen Driving Accident Attorney?
Getting a driving license is an exciting time for a teenager, but the dangers are just as real as the new freedom. Teen drivers are naturally inexperienced motorists and won’t have the quick reflexes or fine judgment that a seasoned driver has.
While many young drivers can safely and comfortably cruise on the roads, teens statistically have a high chance of getting into a car accident.
A teen-driving accident is unique compared to a traditional auto accident. Because teen drivers are new on the road, the rules for how and when they travel may be more strict.
When you add a teen driver to your insurance policy, the rates can rise so high they more than double — and they will rise again if the teen is involved in an accident. The fear of insurance repercussions can make a family want to avoid admitting liability for an accident altogether, which may only make things worse in the long run.
There are also restrictions on passengers and when a teen can be on the road when they are under 18. If a teen is actively breaking those safety regulations at the time of the accident, they may be flustered and become uncooperative, sometimes making it challenging to get the information needed to file a claim.
Your attorney will understand how delicate dealing with a teen driving accident may be for the victims of the crash and can be a valuable resource when moving through a claim.
What Are the Benefits of Working With a Bridgeport Teen Car Accident Lawyer?
An accident is a scary experience and can leave the victim with serious injuries that limit their ability to perform daily activities and may ultimately change how they live entirely, even if it is only temporary. The healing process will look different for everyone, but the weight of the related expenses is consistent, which all accident victims can relate to.
When you are beginning the process of an auto accident claim, consider retaining the representation that can provide:
- Professional guidance and resources: Your attorney will have seen countless auto accident cases before yours and can use their experience and professional resources to ensure that your claim is making efficient progress. If there are any bumps in the road during the process of your teen driving accident claim, your lawyer can take over.
- Help to understand the state’s laws and standard practices: Every state handles auto insurance claims differently, and the specifics may even vary by county. Working with an attorney will ensure that you are following up-to-date and accurate information and aren’t making decisions based on inaccurate or outdated data.
- Provide an accurate valuation of your damages: When the expenses start to roll in, it can be overwhelming to even see the debt growing in your name. An attorney will analyze the expenses that you’ve incurred during the course of your accident, including property damages and medical bills, and then provide an accurate estimate of what a reasonable settlement value may look like.
- Negotiate on your behalf: One of the most overwhelming aspects of litigation is negotiating the final settlement. Understanding your expenses is the first step, but presenting and arguing the value of a negotiable figure is the ultimate milestone to accomplish. An attorney will ensure that your claim isn’t being undervalued by an insurer.
- Prepare for a lawsuit in the event it becomes necessary: Not every case will require the proceedings of a formal lawsuit, but in the event that all involved parties cannot come to an agreed-upon settlement, the next step in damage recovery is a suit. Having a lawyer retained before reaching this point can save a claimant precious time as their personal injury attorney in Bridgeport will have already been preparing for this possible step.
What Are Common Causes of Teen Driving Accidents?
Motor crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, with roughly eight teens ages 13-19 suffering fatal injuries every day. Many of the most common causes of teen driving accidents relate to the inexperience that young drivers have when learning to operate a vehicle.
Even though an accident can happen at any time, some of the most common factors that lead to teen driving accidents include:
- Nighttime driving: Operating a vehicle after dark can feel more frightening than driving during the day because, with limited visibility, a driver may feel less control over the situation. This adjustment can come with a learning curve for young drivers, and it is especially important that they have sufficient practice with a guardian or qualified instructor before driving alone at night.
- Impaired driving: Teen drinking is a serious problem across the states, as more than one-fourth of all teen driving accident fatalities involve an intoxicated driver. Young drivers may engage in reckless driving habits because they are unaware of the severity of the consequences, especially when they have impaired judgment and reflexes.
- Drowsy driving: Most teen drivers get to practice on the road by driving to and from school. Being sleepy behind the wheel is a serious risk and can be as dangerous as driving drunk. A teen driver who did not get enough sleep the previous night may be a danger to themselves and others when driving to school the next morning or from their activities in the afternoon.
- Distracted driving: When we think about the biggest driving distractions, texting and driving are popular and dangerous habits. In a recently conducted survey, roughly 40% of teenagers admit to sending a text or using their mobile device while operating a vehicle. Small actions like changing the radio station or getting involved in a conversation with passengers can be just as dangerous, too.
- Driving anxiety: Teen drivers have less experience on the road than adults, and many situations on the road will be new experiences. Some environments like compact parking lots, roundabouts, and traffic jams may spark anxiety in young drivers still learning how to operate their vehicles.
- Speeding: Teenagers are more likely to drive above speed limits or drive in excess of the speed needed to maneuver safely in situations like parking lots or streets crowded with parked vehicles.
Teen Driving Restrictions in Connecticut
Young drivers won’t have the same freedoms on the road that adult drivers do. In Connecticut, the state sets strict regulations on when 16 and 17-year-old drivers can be on the road and how they operate the vehicle.
Connecticut law states that for the first six months after obtaining a driver’s license, all 16 and 17-year-old motorists may not have any passengers accompany them on the road other than parents, guardians, or a person offering instruction who is over 20 years of age and has maintained a valid license for four years.
Teen motorists may not drive a vehicle between the hours of 11 P.M. and 5 A.M. unless it is for employment, school, religious activities, or medical emergencies. These young drivers also may not operate a cell phone or other electronic device (even a hands-free mobile) until their eighteenth birthday.
What Do I Do After a Teen Driver Accident?
An auto accident can be a scary experience, but it is important to stay calm and remember the following tips to protect the outcome of your claim later:
- Inform parents or guardians
- Seek medical attention
- Take photos of the scene of the crash
- Find witnesses to offer official statements to first responders
- Document any injuries along with the progression and healing process
- Follow doctor’s orders regarding physical rehabilitation and follow-up care
Call a Teen Vehicle Accident Lawyer if You Have Been in a Recent Crash
Having seasoned legal representation lightens the weight of responsibility you need to carry.
Insurers count on claimants being under-informed about how to accurately value their claim and demonstrate liability.
Having a lawyer on your team will show the liable party’s representation that you aren’t backing down without a comprehensive valuation and fair negotiation.
Bert McDowell Injury Law is standing by to help you through the process of filing your teen driving accident claim. The specifics of the claim process vary from case to case, but your attorney will be your guide in understanding each step clearly and confidently.
To schedule your free, no-obligation initial consultation, call (203) 590-9169 or contact us online today.
(203) 690-1030
