A recent study by WalletHub has found that car, truck and motorcycle crashes are the most common cause of death in 16-19-year-olds. The report, which looked at statistics from 2011, cited more than 2,600 deaths and almost 300,000 injuries to drivers under the age of 20. As a group, these drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than all other drivers.
Those most at risk include:
The newest drivers—Crash rates are the highest for drivers in their first six months behind the wheel
Young males—Teen boys are twice as likely to be in a fatal accident as teen girls
Teens riding together—Fatal accidents rates are greater when teens are driving with teenage passengers
The Principal Causes of Teen Motor Vehicle Accidents
According to the study, there are a number of reasons why accident and death rates are higher among 16-19-year-olds. Researchers say teens are more inclined to misjudge traffic situations, either underestimating the risks involved or failing entirely to identify a potentially dangerous situation. Teens driving together, especially teenage boys, encourage risk-taking and dares, often fueled by peer pressure or hormones. Teens also have a greater propensity to speed and to engage in drinking and driving—statistics showed that more than one-third of the fatal crashes involved a speeding teen, and one in four involved alcohol.
Additionally, almost half of all teens interviewed said they don’t always wear seat belts, and that statistic goes up when teens have been drinking and driving. The study found that 71% of teen drivers killed after drinking and driver did not have seat belts on at the time of the crash.
Contact Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP
You can reach us by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week to discuss your Nassau County motor vehicle accident claim. For a free initial consultation, contact us online or call us in Garden City at 516-248-2234 or in Flushing-Queens at 718-539-3100 (toll free at 888-519-3100).
We can arrange to meet with you in your home or at the hospital, if necessary. We have offices in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Nassau counties.
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