Summer Driving and the Increased Chance of a Car Accident

During the summer months, there are more drivers on the road than at any other time of year. This includes an increased amount of teen drivers, who are driving and traveling more after school gets out. For teen drivers, the summer months, namely the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, bring a significantly higher chance of being involved in a car accident.

Tennessee readers may know that the 100 days of summer are known as the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. This is largely due to distracted driving, of which teen drivers are more prone that any other age demographic. Distracted driving typically involves using the phone while driving, but can also include adjusting the radio, eating while driving and having too many passengers in the vehicle.

A new study indicates that distracted driving is related to 60 percent of accidents involving teenagers. These are staggering statistics, and parents bear the responsibility of ensuring that their teens are well educated on safe driving. As passengers are also a huge distraction and may encourage unsafe driving, many parents prohibit their teens from driving with other people in the car.

Teens are inexperienced and easily distracted, which could greatly increase their chance of being involved in a car accident. Other Tennessee drivers are also affected by distracted driving, and victims may not know that they have legal rights when harmed by the negligent actions of another driver. Even if the person behind the wheel of the car at the time of a crash was a minor, the parents or the owners of the vehicle could be named as additional defendants in a civil claim.

Source: CNN, “Parents, beware: These are the 100 deadliest days for teens“, Kelly Wallace, June 1, 2016

Brack Terry

Attorney F. Braxton “Brack” Terry has the legal skill, integrity, and trial experience to offer a high level of professional services to all of our East Tennessee clients. He strongly believes in the importance of strengthening and preserving civil advocacy throughout Tennessee’s legal community.