Fatal accident statistics show that 418 motorcyclists, 621 pedestrians, 940 intoxicated drivers, and 1289 other drivers or passengers died in car crashes in Texas in 2018.
And the number keeps rising every year.
Unfortunately, a majority of these crashes involve teen drivers. In 2017 alone, there were 211,803 car crashes involving drivers under 21 years old.
There are many reasons so many crashes involve young drivers, and many ways to prevent them. If your teen has been in an accident, however, you may need to hire a personal injury attorney to help you through the process.
Causes and ways to prevent teen car accidents in Texas
The CDC reports that the leading causes of teens car accidents include:
- Driver inexperience
- Driving with teen passengers
- Nighttime driving
- Not using seat belts
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
- Impaired driving
Luckily, there are some proven methods for avoiding car accidents, including the following:
1. Avoid Speeding
32% of the car crashes from 2017 were associated with speeding. Also, speed increases the severity of even a supposedly minor crash.
Fortunately, preventing speeding is simple. Encourage your teen driver to drive at or slightly below the speed limit, no matter what it is.
2. Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving causes 10% of road accidents.
Talking, texting, applying makeup, zoning out, etc. There are all kinds of distractions happening in a car — particularly with other passengers involved.
Encourage your teen driver to avoid these distractions altogether and focus on the road at all times.
3. Use Seat Belts
In 2017, over 46% of teenagers drivers who died in a fatal crash were not using their seat belts—almost 1 in 2 accidents.
On the contrary, victims in crashes who had their seatbelts on are more likely to sustain a minor injury or no injury at all.
Make sure you and your teen are using your seatbelt — it can save lives.
4. Avoid drinking and driving
Teenagers in general should not be drinking alcohol, as the drinking age is 21 in the U.S.
However, teenagers often find ways to get their hands on drinks, and the statistics regarding teens drinking and driving are heartbreaking.
20% of teens who were involved in fatal crashes in 2016 had been drinking, and sadly, we lost 451 teens to it the same year.
Talk to your teen about drinking laws and being responsible on the road as soon and as often as possible.
Contact the Stewart Law Firm today
The number of car crashes and resulting death keeps rising every year. We all have our role to play in preventing these tragedies in any way that we can. If your teen has been involved in an auto accident, however, you may need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Contact our office at the Stewart Law Firm today to see how we can help.
