Teen Driver Accident in Houston
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teen drivers accounted for 8.5 percent of all drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents in one recent year despite making up only 5.1 percent of licensed drivers. Teens tend to get into auto accidents more frequently than many other age groups. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident caused by a teen driver, the Houston car accident lawyers with Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs can help you pursue fair compensation for what you’ve suffered.
Can I Recover Compensation from a Car Accident Involving a Teen Driver?
After an accident involving a teen driver, you may have a legal claim to recover compensation for:
- Vehicle repair expenses or reimbursement of the value of your totaled vehicle
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Long-term disability care
- Ongoing and future losses of income
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life.
Who Is Liable if I’m Injured in a Teenage Car Accident in Houston?
Depending on the circumstances, several different parties might be liable for a car accident caused by a teen driver. You might also have a claim against the teen’s parents or guardians, as they may own the teen’s vehicle and hold the insurance policy covering the vehicle.
What Is Texas’s Graduated Driver License Program for Teens?
Texas’s Graduated Driver License program ensures teens can improve their driving skills over time in lower-risk situations. The program involves two phases. In the first phase, an individual under 18 receives a learner license or a minor restricted driver’s license (also called a hardship license). Drivers must hold their learner license or MRDL for at least six months before applying for a provisional Class C driver’s license. Teens with a valid out-of-state learner license who cannot present proof of completing a teen driver education course must receive a Texas learner license, which they must hold for six months or until they turn 18, whichever occurs first.
In the second phase, a driver who has held a learner license for at least six months, turned 16, and completed their driver education and Impact Texas Drivers requirements can take the driving test to receive a provisional Class C driver’s license. This provision license prevents the bearer from:
- Driving with more than one passenger under 21 (except for members of the driver’s family)
- Driving between midnight and 5 a.m., except to drive to work, a school-related activity, or for a medical emergency
- Using a wireless communications device (including in hands-free mode)
Common Causes of Teen Car Accidents
Teen drivers’ inexperience makes them more likely to commit a mistake that leads to a car accident. Some of the most frequent causes of teen car accidents in Houston include:
- Speeding or driving too fast for road, traffic, or weather conditions
- Tailgating/following too closely
- Reckless driving, such as excessive speeding or street racing
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Not checking mirrors or signaling before turns and lane changes
- Making unsafe or illegal turns, lane changes, and passes
- Backing up without looking
- Distracted driving, especially due to cell phone use
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Drowsy/fatigued driving
Contact Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers for Help
Have you been hurt in an accident caused by a teen driver? Contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a teen car accident lawyer in Houston. We can explain your options and help you seek the compensation you need for your injuries and related losses.