When researchers track accident statistics, they often find that teenage drivers pose a high risk. For instance, these drivers have the highest fatal accident rate out of any age group. Older drivers cause more total accidents, but that’s because there are relatively few teens on the road. The accident rate for teenage drivers is the highest in the country.
On top of that, statistics show that this accident rate increases during the summer. Some have taken to calling the summer months the “100 deadliest days” for American drivers. After all, it’s not just teenagers who are in danger, but everyone they share the road with.
Why do these accidents happen more over the summer?
Looking at the reasons for teen accidents shows that they often happen due to things like driver distraction, careless driving, speeding, impaired driving and much more. Often due to their inexperience, teen drivers will make mistakes that older drivers would simply know how to avoid.
But isn’t this true all year around? What makes things different in the summer?
The biggest difference is just that teenagers don’t have to go to high school or college classes over the summer break. They have more free time, so they log more miles and more hours on the road. This increases the risk exposure for all of the drivers and pushes the accident totals up every summer. They go back down again in the fall, when teens return to school.
If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by another driver, you may need financial compensation for medical bills, long-term costs, pain and suffering, lost wages and much more. Take the time to carefully look into the legal options at your disposal.