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What Age Group Has the Most Accidents?
Although it is commonly perceived that teenage drivers are the age group most often responsible for car accidents, on average, almost every other demographic causes more collisions each year.
According to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database, the most reported accidents in the country involved drivers between the ages of 25-34. This age group also reports the highest number of car accident injuries.
That said, older drivers make up a larger percentage of total road users and are likely to drive more regularly than teenagers.
The fact remains that, for a variety of reasons, young drivers behind the wheel of a car can pose substantial risks to themselves, and other road users around them.
Why Teenagers Get into Car Accidents
Inexperience
Teenagers may cause accidents simply because they do not have enough experience behind the wheel. Inexperienced teenage drivers may not know how to react in emergencies, or fully understand the consequences of their choices on the road. They may not know how to navigate hazardous driving conditions, like inclement weather. Teenagers may also not have the confidence to operate a vehicle in areas where traffic is high. For these reasons and others directly related to their lack of experience, they may be at a higher risk of getting into a car accident.
Distractions
Any activity that steals a driver’s focus from the road could be considered distracted driving. Often, teenager drivers may be distracted by texting while driving. In the brief moment it takes to glance at their phone to check a notification, they could miss a sudden change in road conditions and cause a serious collision. Other examples of distracted driving may include changing the radio station, talking with passengers in the car, trying to use dashboard navigation systems, and more.
Driving Under the Influence
A teenager who has been drinking alcohol may not fully realize their degree of inebriation. Drinking alcohol may cause impairment to a teenager’s reasoning abilities, resulting in a lack of inhibition. Teenagers may also believe that smoking marijuana does not impair their ability to drive a car. However, using any type of illicit drug or prescription medication may impair the senses, increasing the risk of an accident.
Reckless Driving
Some teenagers may feel like testing their abilities or the limits of the car they are driving. In these cases, they may intentionally drive above the speed limit, or violate other traffic laws.
Driving with Friends
Friends in the car may be a distraction to a teenage driver. Participating in conversations, laughing at jokes, adjusting the radio, or engaging in other carefree behaviour may steal a teenager’s focus from the road. Consequently, an accident resulting from this behaviour with other passengers in the car could cause multiple injuries or fatalities.
What to Do if You Have Been in a Car Accident
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a teenage driver, seeking immediate medical attention could be crucial. If possible to do so, documenting the accident, recording the contact information of any witnesses, and obtaining copies of police reports may prove useful in future litigation.
If the teenage driver who caused your accident was unlicensed or uninsured, a car accident lawyer may be able to help you navigate this complicated process. If eligible, a lawyer may be able to help you file a lawsuit against the driver in order to recover financial damages you incurred as a result of their recklessness.
Per Ontario’s Limitations Act, personal injury victims may have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit to recover damages.
Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers Today
If you’ve been involved in a car accident with a teenage driver, Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help you recover damages for costs you incurred as a result. To discuss the details of your accident, call Preszler Injury Lawyers today at 1-800-JUSTICE for a free, initial consultation.
