Distracted driving, inexperience, and intoxication are frequent causes of accidents involving teenage drivers.
There are several main causes of teenage driving accidents in Canada.
As reported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Canadian youth are overrepresented in driving accidents due to alcohol and cannabis use. MADD reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death among Canadians between the ages of 16 and 25, with 55% of all driving fatalities among that age group involving intoxicated driving.
Other behaviors that cause teenage driving accidents may include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Traffic law violations
- Inexperience
Learning how to avoid accidents and anticipate road conditions takes practice, which is why young drivers may be at a higher risk of experiencing a car accident.
If a teenager caused your car accident, they may be liable for your injuries. If you are a teenager who was harmed in an auto accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation from the responsible driver.
Fault in Car Accidents
Regardless of their age, if another driver’s negligent behavior harmed you, you may be able to recover compensation.
Frequently, driver negligence involves a violation or a traffic law, such as:
- Failure to yield
- Illegal lane change
- Not stopping at a stop sign or red light
- Not using lights at night
- Speeding
- Tailgating
If a driver causes an accident by committing a traffic law violation, they may be liable for your injuries. You may not need additional evidence to prove that they did so because they were distracted, intoxicated, or inexperienced at driving.
Partial Liability
Your auto insurance company may examine your case to determine if you were responsible for a percentage of the fault. If they decide so, they may reduce your benefits by the percentage they find you at-fault for. If you disagree with the fault allocation made by your insurance company, you have the right to appeal the decision.
Car Accident Injuries
Car crashes may result in serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Lacerations, scars, and burns
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
When your injuries cause a disability of at least 55% of your whole body, your injuries may be considered catastrophic. Catastrophic injuries may cause you to become unable to work and may result in excessive medical bills.
Rehabilitation may be necessary when you sustain a severe injury, which may be difficult to afford if you may no longer work.
If you have been involved in a car accident, we recommend seeing a doctor immediately to evaluate and begin treating your injuries. A prompt examination may also establish a link in your medical record between the accidents and your injuries used as evidence in your case.
Damages in a Car Accident Case
When another driver acts negligently and injures you, you have the legal right to pursue damages per Ontario’s Negligence Act.
You may first be able to recover benefits for economic losses from your insurance policy. If your economic losses exceed your insurance coverage, you may be able to file a tort claim to recover additional compensation from the liable party.
One important way to prove you are entitled to damages is by submitting copies of your economic losses, such as your lost wages. You may receive compensation for future lost wages, which makes it important to keep records of your communication with your employer. If you are unable to continue engaging in the same activities you enjoyed before the accident, pain and suffering compensation may be awarded as well.
Call Preszler Injury Lawyers Today
When you sustain injuries in a car accident, it may make it difficult to maintain your standard of living. If a negligent teenage driver injured you, or if you are a teenage driver who was injured by another negligent party, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.
If we represent you, a lawyer from our firm may be able to:
- Handle all communications, legal paperwork, and deadlines on your behalf
- Identify the liable party
- Collect evidence of their liability and your damages
- Hire accident reconstruction and medical experts to testify in your defense
- Negotiate with insurance companies for a settlement offer
- Take them to trial if they are not willing to make you a fair offer
Preszler Injury Lawyers represents Ontario car accident victims. Call us today at 1-800-JUSTICE to schedule a free initial consultation on your case.
