Getting a driver’s license is an exciting milestone for teenagers, but more of a source of excitement and fear for their parents. according to CDCTeenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 are at higher risk of a car accident than any other age group. As would be expected, the risk of a car accident is particularly high in the first year of driving due to a teen’s lack of experience. At the same time, teenagers are sometimes distracted from their smartphones and other devicesto exacerbate the problem.
While hopefully your teen will avoid an accident, it is important to prepare them for the case. Here are some simple steps you can take to prepare for it:
Don’t remind them of panic
Very often, a teenager’s natural reaction to an accident is panic. “Mom and dad will kill me! “Your first task is to remind your teen to take a deep breath and stay calm so they can take the necessary steps to protect themselves.
Be prepared
Prepare an emergency kit for your teen’s car with a list of the steps they should take in the event of an accident. Add a pen, pad, registration and insurance information. Also, make sure to include a first aid child and important phone numbers.
Getting started: keep yourself safe
Explain to your teen that after an accident, keeping their safety is the top priority. Here are some basic tips you can share with them:
- If someone is injured, call 911 immediately. If there are no injuries and if the accident is minor, call the police.
- If the damage is minimal, turn on your hazard warning lights and carefully move the car away from traffic. Ideally, move your car to the right side of the road. However, if this is not possible, try your best to move away from active lanes.
Gathering and sharing of information
Once your teen is safe and calm, his next priority is to record as much information about the accident as possible. Encourage your teen to:
- Write down the other driver’s name, insurer, and insurance number.
- Take photos of the cars and people involved in the accident, the other license plate and the location of the accident.
Your teen can share their name and auto insurance information with the other driver, but should no longer share anything. If the other driver wants to take a picture of your teen’s driver’s license, your teen should refuse This could lead to identity theft.
After all, your teen shouldn’t tell the other driver or witness at the crime scene that they were to blame for the accident.
The police
When the police arrive, they’ll fill out an official accident report and tell your teen when it is allowed to leave the scene. If the police don’t show up, your teen can still ask the dispatcher for advice if they’re not sure what to do.
After the accident
- If someone is injured even slightly in the car, it is important to see a doctor as not all injuries are immediately apparent. Visiting a doctor is important to your health and can also be helpful if you decide to make a legal claim later.
- While the events that led to the accident remain in your teen’s mind, have him write down as much information as he can remember. You should record the time of the crash, the weather and traffic conditions, and anything else that is relevant to the crash that can strengthen your claim.
- Be sure to call your insurance company to report the accident.
When to contact a lawyer
If your teen is injured in a car accident, you should Contact an experienced injury attorney Even before you speak to the insurance company or any insurance provider to make sure you are protected from those who might want to hurt your case. The lawyers at the law firm Rothenberg LLP have decades of experience in dealing with and winning car accident claims. Contacting our office is absolutely free. Your first consultation with our auto accident attorney is always FREE and we don’t get paid until we manage to get money for you.
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