Lawrenceville Teen Driver Accident Lawyer | Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC

a teenager texting his parents after being involved in a car accident

It’s every parent’s worst fear: getting the call that their teen has been in a wreck. When these accidents involve injuries or loss of life, the emotional and financial burdens are often overwhelming. What should the parents do next? Is it possible that parents could share liability for the accident?

If your teenager was in an accident in Lawrenceville, GA, our personal injury attorneys are ready to help. We understand the challenges of teen driving accident cases and have years of experience demanding fair compensation for victims and their families. We can handle every aspect of your legal case while you focus on your family’s health.

Are you looking for legal guidance? Contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, for a free consultation with a teen car accident lawyer. Our attentive team is available 24/7/365 to address your concerns.

Understanding Georgia’s Teen Driving Laws

For young drivers in Georgia, transitioning from a novice to a licensed driver isn’t just about mastering the ability to drive. Two fundamental laws – TADRA and Joshua’s Law, lay the foundation for this change.

TADRA

The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA) aims to reduce fatal vehicle accidents involving young and inexperienced drivers in Georgia. It’s a graduated, three-step driver’s license program for young drivers aged 15 to 18.

Obtaining a learner’s permit (Class CP) is the starting point. This permit is available to teens at least 15 years old who have completed a knowledge test on road rules and signs. While driving with this permit, young drivers must always be accompanied by adults 21 or older. Supervising individuals must possess valid Class C driver’s licenses, sit next to teen drivers, and stay ready to take control if necessary.

Following the learner’s permit step, new drivers aged 16 or 17 may apply for the intermediate provisional license (Class D). Eligibility for this license requires applicants to have held their learner’s permits for at least 12 months and a day. Additionally, applicants must have passed a road skills test and maintained a driving record free of major traffic violations.

A Class D license comes with specific restrictions:

Class D drivers may not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
In the first six months, Class D drivers can only have immediate family as passengers.
In the next six months, a single, non-family passenger under 21 is allowed.
After one year, Class D drivers can carry up to three non-family passengers under 21.

The final step of this graduated system is the full Class C license. This unrestricted license is accessible to drivers 18 and older if they keep their records clear of major traffic convictions over the last year.

Joshua’s Law

“Joshua’s Law” applies to teen drivers under 18 applying for Class D driver’s licenses in Georgia. The law requires all such teens to hold a learner’s permit for one year and one day before they can get a Class D license and undergo behind-the-wheel training.

Those applying for a Class D license must complete an approved driver education course from a certified training school. Some of these courses are available online. Here are the methods by which they can satisfy this requirement:

Method 1: Complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training at a certified school. Then, complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with six hours of nighttime driving, under the guidance of a parent or guardian.
Method 2: Complete 30 hours of classroom instruction at a certified institution and 40 hours of parent-supervised, behind-the-wheel training.
Method 3: Complete 30 hours of online instruction through a certified program and six hours of behind-the-wheel training at the school. Then, complete 40 hours of supervised driving, including six hours at night, with a parent’s or guardian’s oversight.
Method 4: Complete 30 hours of online lessons from a certified virtual program and 40 hours of parent-guided behind-the-wheel training.

A special provision exists for 17-year-olds enlisted in the military. These teens can apply for a Class C license directly, bypassing the one-year permit requirement.

Teenage Car Accident Statistics in Georgia

A teen’s first set of car keys is a significant milestone, but considerable risks come with their newfound freedom. Recent data paints a sobering picture of the dangers of teen driving accidents.

Nationwide Teen Driving Accident Statistics

Motor vehicle crashes are the top cause of death among American teenagers.
Approximately 2,800 U.S. teens died in car accidents in one recent year.
In the same year, around 227,000 teens suffered injuries from these crashes.
About eight teens died in car accidents each day that year, and hundreds more got hurt.
The financial cost of these wrecks, including medical expenses and loss of life, was $40.7 billion.
Teenagers aged 16 to 19 face the highest risk of motor vehicle crashes among all age groups. Within this cohort, the fatal crash rate is nearly triple that of older drivers.

And if you’re wondering how many car accidents are caused by teenage drivers, the National Safety Council found that the answer is nearly 10 percent.

High-Risk Groups in Teen Driving Accidents

Male Teenagers: In 2020, male drivers between 16 and 19 had a crash death rate three times higher than their female counterparts.
Teens Driving with Peer Passengers: The likelihood of accidents for unsupervised teen drivers rises when teen or young adult passengers are in the vehicle with them. The more teen or young adult passengers in the vehicle, the greater the risk.
Newly-Licensed Teens: Teen drivers are especially vulnerable to accidents during their initial months of licensure. For instance, 16-year-olds have a per-mile crash rate about 1.5 times higher than 18- and 19-year-olds.

Lawrenceville Teen Accident Statistics

Tragically, Lawrenceville is not immune to these national trends. Consider the following teenage car accident statistics from one recent year:

There were 1,241 reported accidents and seven crash fatalities in Lawrenceville alone.
A total of 497 crashes in Lawrenceville that year involved at least one driver under 25, accounting for more than 40 percent of all area traffic accidents.
In Lawrenceville, 363 traffic accidents involved at least one male driver under 25, making them the single likeliest age and sex cohort to be involved in a crash that year.

What Are the Main Causes of Teenage Car Accidents?

Given their relative lack of experience behind the wheel, teen drivers have a higher risk of traffic accidents. Here’s a list of common causes of teenage car accidents in Georgia:

Distracted Driving: Mobile phones, passengers, or in-car entertainment can divert a teen’s attention, causing them to lose focus on the road and crash.
Speeding: The thrill of speed and an underappreciation of its dangers can lead teens to drive too fast for the conditions, reducing their reaction time.
Driving Under the Influence: Drugs and alcohol impair teens’ judgment, reaction time, and fine motor skills, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Peer Pressure: The desire to impress friends or succumb to dares can lead to risky behaviors.
Inexperience: A simple lack of experience can result in misjudging distance, speed, or other driving factors. Overconfidence can also lead to risky behaviors and delayed reactions.
Nighttime Driving: Limited visibility and inexperience with night driving increases the risk of accidents for teens, especially if they don’t know to take extra precautions.

Who’s Responsible After a Teen Driving Accident in Georgia?

While young, inexperienced drivers are frequently at fault for the collisions they’re involved in, they’re not the only ones who could be to blame. Any or several of the following could be at fault for a teen driving accident in Georgia:

Teen Drivers: The teen behind the wheel is most likely to be at fault for a crash they cause through negligent driving behaviors, such as disregarding traffic signals, driving too fast for conditions, or failing to check blind spots before turns.
Parents or Guardians: Under Georgia’s “family purpose doctrine,” parents or guardians can be liable if they provided a family vehicle and the teen used it when the accident occurred.
Other Road Users: In multi-vehicle crashes, other drivers or road users might share blame if their negligence or unlawful behavior contributed to the accident.
Vehicle Manufacturers: If a defect in one of the vehicles played a role in the accident, the company that manufactured it or its components might be liable for producing faulty equipment.

An experienced car accident attorney can examine the facts of the crash to determine who is liable and who might be entitled to seek compensation.

Compensation Available in a Georgia Teenage Driving Accident Case

The aftermath of a teen driving accident is often emotionally and financially draining for victims and their families. Depending on the circumstances, you could seek compensation for the following types of losses if you or a family member gets hurt in a teen driving accident:

Medical Expenses: Immediate and future treatments, surgeries, medications and related costs
Rehabilitation Costs: Ongoing physical or occupational therapy costs
Lost Wages: Lost income and job benefits from missed time at work
Future Earning Capacity: Compensation for potential lost earnings from long-term impairments
Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident
Property Loss: Repair or replacement costs for damaged property
Emotional Distress: Post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and other emotional distress from the crash
Loss of Consortium: Negative consequences for your relationship with your spouse or partner

A car accident attorney can help you figure out the damages you could be entitled to in a personal injury claim.

Talk to an Experienced Teen Car Accident Lawyer in Lawrenceville, GA Today

Rebuilding after a traumatic event like a teen driving accident requires strength and support. Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, can provide both, handling your legal case on your behalf while you heal. We’re more than just lawyers. We’re your advocates and allies in seeking justice.