Commuting around Kentucky, you run a high risk for a car accident. It could be that you were in one and found out that the other driver, a teenager, was at fault. Teens tend to be known for being negligent behind the wheel, and the accidents that they are in are often fatal. For every mile driven, drivers aged 16 to 17 are three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than are adults.
The 100 deadliest days and teen drivers
If your accident took place in the summer, then you should know that this is the season when the number of teen driving crashes, and the number of fatalities arising from them, goes up. In particular, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 deadliest days.
From 2008 to 2018, the 100 deadliest days saw over 8,300 fatalities reported as a result of crashes with teen drivers. This amounts to more than seven deaths for every day of summer in those 11 years.
How teen drivers can be negligent
Obviously, summer is a more dangerous season because school is out and more teens are possibly going to parties and becoming impaired. But impaired driving is far from the only way that teens become negligent.
In AAA’s Traffic Safety Culture Index, 72% of drivers aged 16 to 18 admitted to engaging in unsafe actions in the past 30 days. Of these, 47% sped in a residential area, 40% sped on the highway, 35% texted and 32% ran a red light. Aggressive driving (31%) and drowsy driving (25%) were also included. Lastly, the survey notes that 17% chose not to wear their seatbelt.
Personal attention from an attorney
If the MVA has left you with serious injuries or disabilities that simply cannot be covered under personal injury protection, then you may be able to file a third-party insurance claim. You may want to hire a lawyer here in the Paducah area who could give your case personal attention so that you know what your options are and how much you might be eligible for.
