Teen Driving Accidents in San Bernardino

Teen drivers have a greater likelihood of ending up involved in an accident. Around 75% of serious crashes with teen drivers involve critical errors, including going too fast for road conditions and getting distracted by something happening inside or outside of the vehicle.

If you do have an accident with a teen driver, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation through the driver’s insurance company. Working closely with an auto accident attorney can help you maximize the compensation you can recover. Reach out to Valero Law Group today for guidance after a teen driving accident in San Bernardino.

Liability in Teen Driving Accidents

Unfortunately, teens may not have the same skills as adult drivers, increasing the odds of getting involved in a serious accident. Teen drivers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors than their older counterparts, especially if they have one or more passengers in the vehicle with them. They may speed or engage in aggressive driving behavior. Worse, many teens have a greater risk of checking their cell phones while driving, decreasing their ability to keep their attention on the road.

In most cases, teens are covered under their parents’ insurance policies. If a teen driver causes an accident, you can often file for the same compensation you could recover if you ended up in an accident with an adult driver. However, other factors can influence liability in a teen driving accident in the San Bernardino area. For example, a parent who allows a teen to drive an unsafe vehicle, despite knowing about hazards that make it unsafe on the road, may bear direct liability for an incident caused by those issues. Likewise, parents may bear liability for a teen driving while intoxicated.

Other factors can also influence liability for a teen driving accident. For example, if the teen is driving a vehicle with a factory defect that leads to an accident, the manufacturer may bear liability for the wreck. California law also holds liquor stores, restaurants, and other businesses that sell alcohol liable for any accident that occurs because of alcohol sales to a minor.

Recovering Compensation After a Teen Driving Accident

When you get into an accident with a teenage driver in San Bernardino, and the teen bears liability for the accident, you will need to file a claim through that driver’s insurance. If you carry MedPay coverage, typically, you will use it to cover the cost of your medical treatment before you turn to an injury claim. However, your personal injury claim can include compensation for the economic and non-economic losses you sustain, including:

• Medical costs that exceed the protection offered by MedPay insurance
• Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional Trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Working with a trusted attorney can help you lay out all the damages you sustained and the compensation you should expect. Then, you can present a comprehensive demand package to the insurance company.

The Statute of Limitations in Teen Driving Accidents

In California, you have two years from the date of the accident to bring a claim before the statute of limitations runs out, and you are time-barred from pursuing legal action. You should reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible to get the support you need to move forward with your claim.

Contact a San Bernardino Auto Accident Attorney After a Wreck With a Teen Driver

After a teen driving accident in San Bernardino, you need a lawyer on your side who can make sure you pursue compensation from all liable parties and get the coverage you need for the damages you sustained. Reach out to Valero Law Group as soon after your accident as possible for your free consultation.