Statistically, teen drivers are among the most dangerous drivers on the road. Their inexperience, high likelihood of driving while distracted, and greater penchant for risk-taking behind the wheel make them more likely than other age groups to cause accidents. That means that if you’re ever involved in a crash that wasn’t your fault, there’s a good chance the at-fault driver will be a teenager.
Being able to get compensation from at-fault drivers is an important part of Virginia’s legal system, but how does it work when the at-fault driver is a teen? The answer depends on their age. If the teen driver is 18-19 years old, then filing a claim against them works the same way as it does against any other driver, as they’re a legal adult.
If the driver is under the age of 18, filing a claim against them may still work the same way as it does against an adult driver, as it will be handled by their auto insurance provider. This provider is likely the same provider that their parents use. In some cases, injured victims may be able to file claims against the parents of at-fault teens if the parents were aware of their children driving recklessly.
This is common if a child has already been cited for or caused a crash due to reckless and negligent driving. In cases like these, it can be argued that their parents were negligent for still allowing their children to drive or failing to properly supervise them.
If you or someone you love is injured in a crash caused by a teen or any other negligent driver, we want to help. Contact the Virginia car accident attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
