Teenagers always pose a bigger risk on the roads than their adult counterparts, but research shows that the summer months are particularly fatal for these younger motorists. If your teenager has just gotten their driver’s license, or is about to, our Ohio injury attorney outlines what you need to know below.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the leading cause of death of teenagers aged 15 to 18 years old is motor vehicle accidents. Every year over 2,000 teenagers within this age group are involved in fatal auto accidents across the country.
Many of these accidents occur right here in Ohio. Although just 4% of motorists in the state are teenagers, they make up 15% of all auto accidents. The AAA has dubbed the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” because this is when most teenage fatalities occur on the roads.
There are many reasons teenage driver accidents are more likely to occur in the summer than in the other months of the year. These are as follows:
It is critical for parents to speak to their children about the dangers of driving and to make sure they have the necessary experience and training before they get behind the wheel. Defensive driving courses can also help teenagers understand how to avoid an accident and the dangers of speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving.
While it is true that teenagers often cause more accidents in the summer, this does not mean younger drivers should automatically get the blame for a crash. If your child has been hurt, our Ohio car accident lawyers at Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC can advise on the facts of your case and help you obtain the full and fair damages you deserve. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.