Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Teen Crashes Increase During School Commute
September 5, 2016Every teenager looks forward to the day they get their driver’s license. It means they no longer have to rely on mom or dad or a school bus to get to school. While driving to and from school every day may seem like a safe enough route, Maryland personal injury lawyers caution that there are risks that parents and teen drivers should keep in mind, especially as a new school year approaches.
Typically, car accidents that happen during the school commute are not serious, fatal accidents. However, they are a large part of the problem when it comes to wrecks involving teen drivers. According to researchers who studied crashes in a Washington, D.C. suburb with one of the largest public school systems in the state, there was a considerable increase in crashes during the beginning and end of the school day. The New Institute vice president of research said that, in most cases, the car accidents involved teen drivers.
Most of the crashes that occurred during commute times happened near high schools. The study also showed that the accidents were not caused by blatantly risky, or irresponsible behavior. Crashes during the morning commute were likely a result of the following:
- Fatigue as a result of school starting so early
- Distracted driving, texting, or talking on cell phone
- Inexperience: Teens are most likely to crash because they are still learning to navigate the rules of the road, including knowing when to merge into traffic, driving the right speed for poor road conditions and inclement weather, and learning how to turn safely.
National Teen Driver Safety Week
Every October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sponsors Teen Driver Safety Week, reminding parents that they influence their teen drivers more than they might think. Parents can take advantage of this opportunity to review the following “5 to Drive” rules:
Maryland Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Car Accident Victims Involving Teen Drivers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a teen driver, you may be eligible for compensation. Maryland car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will conduct a thorough investigation of your case so that we can determine who is responsible for your injuries and obtain the maximum compensation. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
