Teen Driver Accidents

Obtaining a driver's license is a milestone celebrated by many teenagers, but teen drivers often lack the experience and skills needed to operate a vehicle. Thus, teen driver accidents are common occurrences. All drivers are obligated by law to drive safely, regardless of their age, however, and teen drivers should be held liable for any harm that they cause due to their unsafe driving. If you were injured in a teen driver accident, you should meet with an attorney to discuss your potential claims. The diligent Boca Raton car accident lawyers at The Grife Law Firm are proficient in aiding injured people with pursuing damages following collisions across South Florida.

Under Florida Statute 322.1615, teenagers can obtain a learner driver’s license at age 15, if they meet the statutory requirements. If a teenage driver has had a learner driver’s license for 12 months, he or she may be able to obtain a driver’s license at the age of 16. Pursuant to Florida Statute 322.16, however, drivers under the age of 18 are restricted regarding when they are permitted to drive alone. At certain times, they must either be on the way to or from work or accompanied by a person who is 21 or older.

Notably, Florida Statute 322.09 specifically provides that a driver's license application by a person under 18 must be signed by the person's parent or guardian unless the person has been emancipated by marriage. The Statute further provides that the signatory parent or guardian will be held severally and jointly liable with the minor driver for any harm caused by his or her negligence or willful misconduct.

While teen driver accidents can arise under any circumstances, some causes are more common than others. For example, teen drivers are more likely to be distracted by cell phones or social media sites, and distracted drivers frequently cause accidents. Teen drivers also may drive at an excessively high speed, which may cause them to lose control of the car or diminish their ability to stop in time to avoid a collision. Teen driver accidents are often caused by a lack of experience as well, since teen drivers often lack familiarity with the roads on which they are traveling and may not know how to handle poor weather or road conditions. Teen drivers who lack confidence are more likely to make hasty, ill-advised driving decisions and inadvertently cause an accident.

Generally, most lawsuits that arise out of teen driver accidents allege that the teen driver's negligent actions caused the collision. To show that a teen driver’s negligence brought about an accident, you must prove that the driver had a duty to comport with a standard of care and that he or she breached the duty. Then, you must establish that the breach caused the accident and that you suffered calculable damages because of the accident. If you prove that the teen driver is liable, you may be awarded compensation from the driver and, if the driver is under 18, from the parent or guardian who signed the driver’s application for a license. Damages that our attorneys may be able to recover for you include the cost of medical bills, lost earnings, and payment for the pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Teen drivers cause a disproportionate number of car accidents in Florida each year, and many of the people involved in those accidents sustain significant harm. At The Grife Law Firm, our attorneys have the skills and experience needed to help you assert your rights and maximize your compensation. From our office in Boca Raton, we represent victims in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, and the surrounding areas. You can contact us at 855-998-0770 or through our form online to schedule a free and confidential consultation with an injury lawyer.