It's normal for teenage drivers and school students involved in a car accident to feel scared or overwhelmed. Even experienced drivers can feel shaken after a car accident. Regardless of the accident's size, if it was caused by distracted driving or whether seat belts were being used, it's important to stay calm and not leave the scene, as this can result in legal consequences. But our teen car accident checklist is here to help!
Call the police and make sure everyone involved is okay. Give the police your license, registration, and insurance details. If another driver was involved, get their contact and insurance information, but wait until the authorities arrive to discuss the details of the accident.
Prioritize safety and safe driving practices by following these tips for your first motor vehicle crash as a teenager. If your teenager was involved in a car accident or fatal crash, Marks Law Group in Georgia can provide support.
If you have any questions or concerns about your kids being involved injured, then call our experienced car accident attorney, Aaron Marks, today at (678)-251-9309 and schedule a 100% FREE consultation!
Stop
In the event of a motor vehicle accident involving your teen, it is important to first stop the car and follow safe driving habits. This should be done regardless of if the teen was distracted driving while on their cell phone or driving above the legal limit. After stopping, it's important to check with all individuals involved in the fatal crash to make sure everyone is safe and not seriously injured.
Safety
School students involved in fatal crashes or car accidents should prioritize their safety. Teen driver safety emphasizes that the drivers and any teen passengers should remain inside their vehicle with their seat belts fastened until first responders arrive.
Walking around can put them in danger of another crash risk, so they should stay put in a safe location. If possible, they should move the car to the side of the road and turn on their hazard lights to increase visibility.
Call 911 for Medical Attention
Prompt action is essential to prevent driver fatalities in teen crashes. The first step is to check for passenger vehicle occupants' injuries and call 911 if necessary. If your teen is involved, they should seek medical attention right away.
Even if there are no visible injuries, it's important to see a doctor after a crash. Delayed symptoms such as headaches or dizziness may occur, and internal injuries may not be obvious without imaging tests. Seeking medical attention promptly after a fatal crash is essential for the prompt treatment of any injuries.
Call Parents
Calling the parents should be done immediately after the driver crashes so that they can assist with any medical care and insurance matters related to the fatal accident. Additionally, it is important to keep their parents updated on the teen's condition and progress throughout the recovery process.
Police
After a car accident with no serious injuries and no need for 911, call the local police department. In some jurisdictions, they will investigate and document the incident to create a police report record for future legal proceedings or insurance company claims.
When the police officers arrived, it's important to be truthful and not give them a difficult time or admit fault, as this can make things worse. Teens should also have their insurance card information ready to give to the officers.
Don't Accept or Place Blame
Accidents can be very scary and emotional. Oftentimes emotions run high and the wrong thing can be said right after a car accident due to a lack of experience. The best thing to do is not to accept blame for the accident but also not place blame. Give your statements to the authorities and let the professionals resolve any possible issues.
Identification
When teens are involved in a car accident, they can often be identified quickly and easily due to their age. Oftentimes, licensed teen drivers will have their provisional license information with them at the time of the accident, which can be used by law enforcement officers or first responders on the scene of the fatal car accident.
If the teen is under 18 and does not possess a driver's license, alternative forms of identification such as a birth certificate or school ID may suffice. Teens need to keep these documents with them at all times in case of an emergency.
Witness
When a teen car accident occurs, it's important to get as much information as possible to determine the cause of the crash. Interviewing adult driver witnesses is one way to gather information and can be an invaluable source of insight and evidence.
When interviewing witnesses, it is important to ask them what they saw before, during, and after the accident. If a person has it taped on their mobile phone this can help you build a better understanding of what happened and determine who made the critical errors and is at fault.
Take Notes
Parents can have a parent-teen driving agreement need to ensure that their teen driver takes notes after a car accident. Even if the accident is minor, teens need to document the details of the incident such as the front-seat passenger wearing a seat belt, whether they were demonstrating risky driving behavior, or drunken driving so they can provide an accurate account of what happened.
Did You Know? According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, from 2015 to 2019, 15,510 teen drivers ages 16-19 were involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes.
Taking notes helps teens remember the details better and if innocent can help them avoid being held liable for any damage or injuries caused by the accident. Important notes to take would be the year, make, model, and color of the other car, as well as any driver and passenger names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Take Photos
When in a car accident, take pictures of the scene and any car damage at the current time. Exchange contact information with other drivers involved and keep track of medical expenses. Taking photos of the scene as soon as possible is important for insurance claims and disputes. To keep teens safe from being taken advantage of they should take photos to prove their side of the story and protect themselves.
Don't Leave
When it comes to teen car accidents, one of the best pieces of advice is 'Don't leave'. Teens should never get behind the wheel if they lack driving experience, are under the influence, or are feeling sleepy. Even if they feel like they can handle it, in the United States the fatal crash rates among teens increase exponentially and this is not a chance anyone should take.
In addition to avoiding alcohol and other substances, teens should always stay at the scene of an accident until law enforcement has arrived. Leaving the scene is illegal and can lead to further legal repercussions. If there is a police report written, be sure to get a copy before leaving the scene.
Unattended Vehicles
Teens leaving their cars unattended can lead to car accidents. Unattended cars are easy targets for thieves and may roll away if the parking brake is not set properly. Accidents may also occur if someone else is found in the driver's seat when the teen returns to the car. To prevent this, teens should turn off their cars and set the parking brake when they leave them unattended.
Parents should also emphasize the importance of not leaving their cars running in public locations or other vulnerable areas.
Call Marks Law Group
Marks Law Group is a law firm that specializes in helping victims of automobile accidents. Located in Georgia our accident lawyer team is dedicated to helping teens get the compensation they are legally entitled to after a car accident.
The lawyers at Marks Law Group understand that teens can be inexperienced drivers and may make mistakes on the road. They are committed to protecting teens' rights and helping them get the justice they deserve.
Conclusion
Preventative measures are crucial for reducing teen car accidents. Encouraging responsible driving and obeying speed limits can help. Teaching defensive driving techniques and discussing safety and the dangers of impaired driving can also help reduce the risk for motor vehicle drivers.
Additionally, laws can be put in place to take driving privileges from teens during the most dangerous hours of the night. If your teenager has been in a car accident, Marks Law Group in Georgia can provide support. Call today at (678)-251-9309 and get your case started!