Every year, thousands of families are devastated by the loss of a teenager in a preventable traffic accident. Teen drivers are particularly at risk for fatal teen driving accidents because of their inexperience and increased likelihood of making poor choices behind the wheel, including speeding and impaired driving. All 50 states have created a graduated licensing program that places certain restrictions on 16- and 17-year-old drivers to help reduce the risk of a crash. Washington State’s graduated licensing laws prevent teen drivers from driving between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. for the first year after their license is issued or having any non-family passengers under 20 in their vehicle for the first six months after their license is issued.
While no amount of preparation can erase the heartbreak, understanding the risks of teen driving and knowing what steps to take after a fatal accident can help guide grieving families through the emotional and financial losses that follow. If you lost a child in a motor vehicle accident, contact an experienced, local car accident attorney. You do not have to navigate your loss alone.
Teen Driving Accident Statistics
Motor-vehicle crashes are still the number one cause of preventable death for U.S. teens. Sadly, in 2023, the number of teen motor-vehicle occupant deaths increased for the third time since 2019 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)). According to the latest data available, vehicle occupant fatalities in crashes involving a teen driver in 2023 totaled 2,707, up 5.9 percent from 2,556 in 2022. The NHTSA also estimates that the total number of traffic deaths (including pedestrians and cyclists) among teens ages 13 to 19 was 3,048 in 2023, averaging eight deaths per day.
But teens aren’t the only people impacted by accidents with young drivers (15 to 20 years old). In 2023, 5,588 people died in crashes involving at least one young driver, which represented a 4.2 percent increase from the 2022 total of 5,361. In 2023, there were 2,148 young driver deaths, 1,114 fatalities among passengers of young drivers, 1,605 fatalities to occupants of all other vehicles, and 721 non-occupant fatalities, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The NSC encourages parents to get involved to help prevent teen accidents. DriveitHOME is a free resource from NSC, created by and for parents. The information helps parents identify the risks their teens face on the road and teaches them the concepts and methods that will help their child become more experienced and safer behind the wheel.
Steps to Take After Teen Driving Accidents
While nothing can undo the tragedy of losing a teen child, taking certain steps after the tragic loss can help families navigate the legal, practical, and emotional challenges that follow:
- Contact law enforcement. It is very important to have a full accident report from a law enforcement officer taken at the scene.
- Seek support. Lean on family, friends, and grief counseling resources to help process the emotional trauma of your loss.
- Preserve important documents. Keep medical records, insurance information, and police reports organized for reference in a personal injury claim.
- Consult with an experienced accident attorney. If your loss was caused by a negligent driver or other factor outside your teen’s control, contact a local personal injury lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
