Teen drivers in California and car accident risk factors

 Posted on July 10, 2015 in Car Accidents

California residents should keep in mind that teenage drivers often engage in risky behavior, making them potentially dangerous to themselves, their passengers and others who are sharing the road with them. The root cause of accidents involving young drivers is often related to the invincibility complex many teenagers possess. They often believe that they can do certain things without facing consequences. Even though drivers under 21 only make up around 10 percent of all licensed drivers, they cause a disproportionate amount of fatal accidents that often involve drinking, texting or both.

Approximately 17 percent of all fatal alcohol-related accidents in the United States are caused by drivers under the age of 21. Even though most states have implemented strict laws related to the blood alcohol concentration of younger drivers, the problem remains. Approximately 2,000 underage drinkers die each year while operating a vehicle. Of all teen auto accidents, alcohol is a factor in one-third of them.

Teenagers also pose a threat to others on the road when they text while driving. Driving while under the influence of alcohol was previously the top cause of teen deaths in the United States, but texting while driving has now surpassed it. The behavior is responsible for over 3,000 teenage deaths every year, and the use of a cellphone while driving significantly slows a young driver's reaction time and accordingly increases the risk of being in an accident.

People who are injured as a result of a car accident negligent driver of any age often have to face high medical expenses, and many suffer additional financial losses when unable to work. An injured victim may wish to speak with a personal injury attorney to discuss the available methods of obtaining compensation from the responsible driver.