Teenage Car Accident Statistics

Has your child been involved in a recent collision? It’s important for them to know when to stay put and when to stay quiet. Never agree to recorded conversations after a crash. Their words might be used against them by insurance and in a court of law. Reach out to us for legal advice at (757) 244-7000.

As a parent, it can be incredibly nerve-wracking to think about your child driving on the road for the first time. The anxiety comes from the many dangers they must navigate, from reckless drivers to sudden weather changes. 

The thought of your child being in an accident is every parent's nightmare. It’s hard enough to prepare them for the troubles of life without worrying about what’s out to get them on the road. But it’s natural to worry about their safety as they start driving independently. 

The reality of encountering unpredictable situations can be overwhelming, but knowing teen driving statistics can help you deal with this fear. Make sure you’re creating an environment where you can have an open conversation with your child about the main causes of accidents. 

Discussing issues like distracted driving, speeding, and peer pressure helps them understand how to avoid common mistakes. The importance of wearing seatbelts, staying focused, how following traffic laws can greatly reduce the risk of injury, and avoiding distractions.

This honest talk helps your child make safer choices and gives you peace of mind knowing they are more prepared for the challenges of the road. When you equip them with the knowledge and skills to drive safely, you can greatly reduce the chances of accidents.

No one wants to see their kid get hurt. But it happens. As attorneys with experience in roadside collisions, we recognize the devastating effects of driver negligence, especially as they lead to traumatic brain injuries like PTSD. That’s why our team is dedicated to securing the rightful compensation for victims.

Reach out to our team at (757) 244-7000 for a free consultation. We’ll assess your case, answer your questions, and guide you through the legal process. Your well-being matters, and we’re committed to helping you get the justice you deserve.

5 Fast Facts About Teen Car Crashes

Here are some fast facts to prepare you for your child’s endeavors on the road:

• Teenage drivers have a total accident rate that is equivalent to 3,612 fatal crashes or 6% of car fatalities a year.
• Approximately 35% of all teen driver crashes are rear-end collisions, often caused by distractions such as texting or interacting with passengers.
• Nearly 29% of teen drivers killed in car accidents in 2020 had been drinking.
• In 2020, 67% of those who died in car crashes were male. Males are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors. 
• Certain car models have higher instances of teen injuries in crashes. Oldsmobile vehicles were notably associated with higher injury rates among teens, whereas brands like Audi, Volvo, and Cadillac had fewer injuries.

What Percent Of 16-Year-Olds Get In Car Accidents?

The risk of crashes is highest among teens ages 16–19 compared to any other age group. 

Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly 3x more likely to be in a fatal crash than drivers aged 20 and older. This high accident rate is due to a combination of factors attributed to lack of experience.

Teen drivers are particularly susceptible to accidents in the afternoon and evening hours when they are commuting from school or work and during times of increased traffic congestion​.

Despite this, Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs, which provide staged driving privileges, have been shown to reduce the risk of crashes among 16-year-olds by up to 20% by allowing them to gain experience under less risky conditions.​ 

What is the #1 Cause of Death for Young Drivers on the Road?

The #1 cause of death for young drivers on the road is speeding, followed by rear-end collisions. Teen drivers often underestimate the dangers of speeding and overestimate their ability to handle high speeds. This dangerous combination can lead to devastating consequences.

Speeding reduces the driver's ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions, such as a car stopping suddenly or an obstacle appearing on the road. The faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to stop, and the impact force in a crash is exponentially greater, leading to more severe injuries or fatalities.

This reduced reaction time increases the severity of accidents. Confront your teen with the variety of factors that put their lives at risk.

Lack of Experience

Teens are less familiar with how to judge and adjust speed for different road conditions and are more likely to make critical errors. This inexperience is a major factor in their higher crash rates.

Young drivers typically lack the practical knowledge needed to respond appropriately to unexpected situations, such as sudden stops, sharp turns, or adverse weather conditions. For instance, they may not know how to reduce speed on wet or icy roads, leading to skidding or hydroplaning. 

Their ability to assess the safe speed for curves or heavy traffic is limited by this lack of experience. While regular practice and supervised driving can reduce these risks, it takes time for teens to build the experience needed to make sound, split-second decisions on the road. 

Peer Pressure

Teen drivers may feel the need to impress friends or succumb to peer pressure, leading to reckless speeding. The presence of peers can create a competitive or show-off environment, where teens push beyond their comfort zones to gain approval or enhance their social status.

They may be tempted to engage in risky behaviors such as drag racing, aggressive driving, or disregarding traffic signals. A study by AAA indicated that the risk of a fatal crash increases by 44% with one passenger under 21 and quadruples in a full car of teens.

Parents and guardians can counteract this by setting strict rules about passenger limits and emphasizing the importance of responsible driving, regardless of peer influence. Educating teens about the potential consequences of succumbing to peer pressure while driving may also reduce risks.

Thrill-Seeking Behavior

The desire for excitement can prompt teens to speed, disregarding the potential risks involved. Adolescents are naturally more inclined towards sensation-seeking behaviors due to developmental changes in their brains, particularly the areas involved in impulse control and risk.

The thrill of speeding can overshadow their understanding of safety, leading to dangerous situations. This behavior is often exacerbated by media portrayals of high-speed driving as glamorous or heroic. To address this, parents and educators should discuss the real-life consequences of speeding and promote safer ways to seek excitement. 

Risk Perception

Many young drivers do not fully understand the dangers of speeding and feel invincible, believing they can handle high speeds safely. This sense of invulnerability is common among teens, who underestimate the risks associated with driving at high speeds. 

Teens are prone to believing that accidents only happen to others or that they have the skills to avoid crashes, even when driving recklessly. This flawed risk perception is compounded by a lack of experience and an overestimation of their driving abilities.  

It’s important to make sure your kid is well-acquainted with the danger of car crashes. Visual aids, such as crash simulation videos, and discussions about the physics of speed and its impact on stopping distances and crash severity, can help make the dangers more tangible. 

Reinforcing these lessons through repeated conversations and practical demonstrations during driving practice will all work toward shifting their perception of risk.

Impaired Judgment

Has your child been seriously injured or worse in a joyride gone wrong? Monetary compensation is never enough for your loss. But let us help you seek justice against the negligent parties involved. Let us hear your claim at (757) 244-7000

Factors such as alcohol, drugs, or even strong emotions can impair a teen's judgment, making them more likely to speed. 

Substance use drastically reduces a driver's ability to make rational decisions and respond quickly to changing road conditions. Even small amounts of alcohol or drugs can slow reaction times, impair motor skills, and reduce coordination, leading to dangerous driving behaviors like speeding.

A third of young drivers are killed in drunk driving accidents. Alcohol inhibits their ability to process emotional states, such as anger, stress, or excitement, and can also cloud judgment, prompting teens to drive faster.

Before any party plans, always discuss a designated driver with your child. Make yourself available to them whenever they’re tipsy. No parent wants to imagine their child drinking, but it’s better than the alternative.

Smith Law Center: Teen Crash Attorneys

Your kid deserves to feel safe on the road. Especially after enduring a traumatizing accident. Entrust the attorneys at Smith Law Center to fight for your child’s right to be compensated to the fullest extent of the law.

Reach out to get started on your claim. Our lawyers have won clients millions for negligence, pain, and suffering. And we work on a contingency basis. That means no upfront costs unless your case is successful.