By Pendergast Law on October 15, 2013
Seven teenagers were injured when the car in which they were traveling slid off the road and struck a pillar on the Interstate 5 in Pierce County. King5.com reports that a 16-year-old Olympia girl was driving a Volkswagen Jetta south on the freeway just near Center Drive when she hit the brakes and slid into the grass section. The car then hit a pillar broadside, causing the engine to separate from the vehicle and land in the road. Six of the teens were transported to area hospitals. Officials said the crash was caused by driver inattention and that the teen driver could face a negligent driving charge.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2010, about 2,070 teens in the United States aged 16 to 19 were killed and almost 282,000 were treated and released from emergency departments for injuries suffered in auto accidents. Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 represent only 14 percent of the nation’s population. However, they account for 30 percent of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28 percent of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females.
Preventing these types of tragic accidents is entirely possible. Here are a few tips:
- Make sure that your teen goes through a graduated drivers licensing (GDL) program. Statistics show that GDL programs reduce fatal and injury crashes by 38 percent and 40 percent respectively among 16-year-old drivers.
- Enforce night-time curfews for your teen driver.
- Enforce rules about carrying other teen passengers in the vehicle. Studies show that a number of crashes involving teens occur when there are other teens in the vehicle.
- Educate your teen about the dangers of distracted driving. Set an example by being a role model.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, the experienced Washington personal injury lawyers at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at 888-539-9211 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.