Connecticut teens, like many others in America, make mistakes behind the wheel. With their lack of experience, absence of judgment and feelings of invincibility, many learn these mistakes the hard way.
According to AAA, the start of the summer driving season is in June. The subsequent 100 days are referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days.”
AAA says that Connecticut teens face more danger in June than any other month. Across the U.S., the decade between 2008 and 2018 had the most teen driving fatalities over the summer. That’s seven deaths a day for the past ten years. In 2019, more than 3000 teens crashed between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That means every 42 minutes, someone got in an accident. Of the 12 teen fatalities that happened in 2019, half of them died during the summer.
Older teens face a higher risk
Adolescents, like those ages 16 to 17, could be in more danger. Factors in these teen accidents included speeding, driving recklessly, not staying in the proper lane and not yielding based on the law. A significant issue is distracted driving and it goes beyond cellphones. While phone use came in at 12% as playing a role in an accident, 15% happened when the teen was interacting with passengers. The current health situation has changed the landscape, but that could also have a role in a crash. That’s because less traffic may give some drivers the idea that they can speed without repercussions. Parents should emphasize safe driving practices. However, that doesn’t mean accidents are unavoidable.
Victims deserve compensation
People may find themselves with overwhelming medical costs after a crash. Unfortunately, this may mean taking time away from work to recover from such injuries. And despite all the despair, insurance companies might not always cooperate or offer fair compensation. If that’s the case, people need a legal advocate on their side. An attorney can evaluate their client’s claims, take their case to court and get them the compensation they deserve.
