It’s almost a fact of life that teens are more likely than adults to be involved in auto accidents. That’s why it is so hard to hand over the keys and have faith that everything will be fine once your teen hits driving age.
For many families, everything is fine. But like the rest of the country, the communities in West Texas see a startling number of teen driver accidents every year. Each of those crashes can change a teen’s life forever.
As a family-run firm of West Texas car accident lawyers, The Kemmy Law Firm is honored to help people in and around Odessa-Midland, El Paso, Big Spring, Plainview, San Angelo, and Lubbock after a severe car wreck. But that doesn’t mean we’re not interested in stopping teen car accidents before they happen. Here’s a look at teen driver accidents in the region, what causes them, who is trying to help, and the legal options after a teen-involved car crash.
Texas Teen Car Accident Statistics
In 2019, 180 teen drivers were killed in Texas car accidents, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. And 99 teens died in car crashes as passengers. In 2017, Texas was the deadliest state for teen drivers, with 523 deaths from teen driver accidents.
Fatal teen car accidents are one of the worst possible tragedies a family can endure. But non-fatal teen accidents can cause serious, sometimes lifelong injuries that can affect every aspect of a teen’s life. According to 2019 data from TxDOT, 112,942 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 were involved in crashes in Texas. Many of these crashes resulted in serious injuries.
Why Teens Get Into Car Crashes
The numbers surrounding teen driver accidents in Texas are shocking. But what’s behind those numbers may be even more alarming – many teen driver accidents in West Texas are preventable.
The following are some common factors involved in teen car accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
Combine any of the above with not wearing a seatbelt, and you have a recipe for disaster. Almost 50% of teens who died in car accidents in 2018 were not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred, according to TxDOT.
Keep in mind, too, that many teens drive safely and are still involved in accidents because other drivers are speeding, distracted, drunk, or otherwise not using the required caution while on the road.
Preventing Teen Driver Accidents
Preventing teen driver accidents in West Texas starts with proper driver education. Parents and driving instructors must emphasize the importance of seatbelt use, driving the speed limit, focusing on the road, and defensive driving.
But others are also stepping up to combat the plague of teen car accidents our state faces. A teen safe driving competition in the Permian Basin is one example of this. In the SAFE 2 SAVE competition, high school drivers are awarded points and cash prizes for safe driving practices like not using their cell phones while driving.
Announced at the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, this three-month competition includes many local schools: Odessa, Lee, Midland, Kermit, Andrews, Monahans, and Pecos high schools.
Legal Concerns for Teen Driver Accidents in Texas
When teens are involved in car accidents in Texas, families may face several legal concerns. This is especially true if the accident caused any injuries.
If someone was driving negligently and caused a crash that hurt your adolescent, Texas law allows you to seek personal injury compensation on behalf of your child. But filing such a legal claim will put your family up against a massive insurance company and an at-fault driver who doesn’t want to own up to what they did.
This is why so many parents of teens injured in car accidents seek a car accident lawyer’s guidance. An auto accident attorney can help you build a strong legal claim that shows why your teen and your family deserve compensation for what happened to your child.
Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer
If your teen has been injured in a West Texas car accident, The Kemmy Law Firm can help. While nothing can undo the trauma and pain your child has suffered, recovering the fair compensation you are owed under the law is a start.
With offices in Odessa, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Hobbs, New Mexico, and over 50 years of experience in car accident cases, we’re here and ready to help. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call (830) 264-6297 or contact us online.
The post Why Are There So Many Teen Driver Accidents in West Texas & What Can We Do? appeared first on Kemmy Law Firm.
