Maison Law helps anyone hurt in a car accident in California. There’s not only many different types of car accidents, but causes. More to the point, certain drivers are unfortunately more likely to cause a car accident, none more so than a teenager. Whether it’s failing to pay attention or inexperience, many car accidents in California are caused by teens. If you or someone you care about have been in this situation, contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your legal options.

Why Would You Need a Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by a teenager, you might wonder why you would need a lawyer. Minor accidents might not require legal action, but even minor accidents can be complex when teen drivers are involved. Teen drivers may have less experience, and determining liability can be tricky. That’s why having our team on your side can make a big difference. We have extensive experience with helping clients in situations like yours by:

Explaining your legal rights and options.
Investigating the accident to figure out who all is responsible
Gathering crucial evidence, such as photos and medical records.
Speaking with witnesses to strengthen your case.
Negotiating with insurance companies and the other party’s lawyers.

Our goal is to secure a fair settlement for your injuries and make the process as smooth as possible. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, so there’s no upfront cost to you.

How is Liability Set When a Teenager Causes a Car Accident in California?

The starting point of any car accident claim is figuring out who’s responsible, and this is no different when the other driver is a teenager. Once they’re licensed and they get behind the wheel, a teenager has the same legal standards and responsibility as any other driver.

This means that if they cause an accident, they’ll carry the liability for any resulting damage. However, it’s highly likely that they won’t own the car itself–that will belong to a parent or some other adult. This might not change direct liability, but it does bring “vicarious liability” into play.

Vicarious liability is when someone else is considered responsible for the actions of others. In this case, the adult that owns the car will also share liability for your injuries and other losses from the accident caused by the teenager, because of the following factors:

If the teenager wasn’t supposed to be driving the vehicle, liability can get more complicated.

If the teenager was driving at times they weren’t supposed to, it could impact who’s liable.

If the teenager broke traffic laws, they’re likely responsible for the accident.

If the teenager was doing something illegal, like driving drunk, they would likely bear most of the blame.

Every situation is different, but like any car accident, others beyond the teen and the owner of the car can also share liability, like:

Other drivers not directly involved in the collision
Car or parts makers
Government agencies
Passengers or pedestrians

No matter who’s ultimately liable, figuring this out is a huge step for your case. It not only tells you who you’ll be up against in the claims process, but who has to pay for your damages.

What’s the Claims Process When a Teenager Causes a Car Accident?

If a teenager causes a car accident, you can still file a claim to recover damages–financial support for your losses, like injuries and other damages from the accident. Like any other car accident, you typically have two main options:

Filing an insurance claim – This involves negotiating with the insurance company to cover your damages.
Filing a lawsuit – This is a more formal legal process that may go to trial if a settlement isn’t reached.

Both options involve a similar process: first, an investigation to gather evidence and determine who’s at fault, followed by negotiation for a settlement, and finally, resolution through either an insurance settlement or a court verdict.

Resolving a case involves recovering “damages” like:

Medical expenses
Ongoing care needs
Lost wages or earning potential
Repair/replacement costs for your vehicle
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of quality of life
Wrongful death expenses, if injuries are fatal
Punitive damages, if the negligence was reckless or intentional

When a teenager causes the accident, these damages are still recoverable, and while the process is the same, it can be a bit more complicated when others are involved. Still, you have to file within two years of the accident to meet California’s statute of limitations.

How Can You Strengthen a Claim After a Car Accident Caused by a Teenager?

Obviously, you never want to be involved in a car accident, whether it’s caused by a teen or anybody else. But this is unfortunately common. So when it does happen, it’s very important to know how to respond properly. This will help you build the foundation for your claim. Here’s what you need to do:

Call the police – Call the police to report the accident. Make sure they know that a teen driver is involved so they can check their driving history, insurance information, and anything else that might factor in.

Call an ambulance – Like any other car accident, the first thing you should do is take care of your health. Call 911 for an ambulance if you’re hurt, then get checked out by a doctor after everything is taken care of at the scene. Medical records are important for your claim.
Collect evidence – Take photos of the accident, damage, and any injuries. Get contact details from witnesses, including whether they saw that the teen was texting or otherwise being negligent.

Keep track of your losses – Save all receipts and records for medical bills, car repairs, and any lost wages.

Be careful with insurance companies – Don’t give statements to the other driver’s insurance company without talking to our lawyers first. Be prepared if the other side tries to blame you for the accident.

Even though you hope to avoid an accident with a teenager, it can still happen. By taking these steps, you’ll be ready for what comes next. But at the same time, part of being prepared isn’t just knowing how to respond, but how these accidents happen

Why Are Teenagers More Likely to Cause a Car Accident?

We’ve all been teenagers at some point, and when you think back to that time in your life, it’s really not all that surprising that this group is more likely to cause a car accident. Most teens, despite their inexperience, are fairly responsible in driving situations. But there’s always the chance that immaturity can come into play and cause accidents. Still, it’s important to look at the underlying causes of these accidents with teens in California:

Distractions, especially phone use – Distractions are perhaps the biggest influence on teens causing car accidents. They often use their phones while driving, which distracts them from the road and increases the risk of accidents.
Inexperience – Teen drivers lack the experience of handling different driving situations and conditions, which increases the likelihood of errors.

Risk-taking behavior – Teenagers are more prone to taking risks and driving aggressively, such as speeding or running red lights.

Poor decision-making skills – Their decision-making skills are still developing, which can lead to poor choices on the road, like driving under the influence or misjudging traffic situations.

Peer pressure – Teens may drive recklessly to impress friends or under peer pressure, leading to dangerous driving behaviors.

Overconfidence – Young drivers might overestimate their driving abilities, which can lead to risky maneuvers and accidents.

While these factors aren’t there for every teenage driver, they are in some form or another in most car accidents. Regardless, being hurt in a car accident gives you legal rights, and our team will be there to support you through the legal process.

Contact Maison Law If You’ve Been Injured by a Teen Driver in California

At Maison Law, our top priority is making sure you’re taken care of after a car accident. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a teen driver, you can count on our guidance and support. Our team of California car accident lawyers have extensive experience dealing with these cases and will make sure you get the help you need.

For a free consultation about your accident with a teen driver, contact us today.