Connecticut Auto Accident: Teen Fatality Is A Fresh Reminder Of How Dangerous This Time Of Year Can Be

Recently a teen driver, aged 17-years old, was killed in a single vehicle accident in Bridgeport along Old Town Road.  Experts continue to issue safety warnings about the 100 Deadliest Days of summer when teens experience the highest volume of auto accidents as well as fatalities from those accidents.

Some of the reasons that teen drivers often find their way into Connecticut auto accidents during the summer months include:

• Inexperience.  Teens who are just getting their licenses for the first time and are on Connecticut roads are the least experienced among us and this can lead to tragic results.
• Limited following of the graduated license laws that are in place to protect teen drivers which include things like no texting while driving and not driving between the hours of 11pm – 5am.
• Allowing passengers to be in the car.  While the above accident was a single driver, there are many times where teen drivers become distracted by having passengers in the vehicle and this can lead to devastating effects.
• Excessive speeding.  The combination of inexperience and excessive speeding leaves teen drivers very vulnerable to getting into a serious accident.
• Bravado.  Many teens believe themselves to be invincible and therefore they are reckless behind the wheel.  With this bravado comes risky behaviors that put these drivers in harm’s way.

There is no perfect way to limit the dangers of teens driving, especially during the summer months where many of these drivers have greater freedom and flexibility and slower schedules.  Parents can take steps to help their teens avoid getting into a Connecticut auto accident such as modeling good behavior when driving, speaking with teens about their driving habits, and ensuring that their teen is abiding by the laws set forth for graduated licensed driving.  While parents may not think they have great influence over their teens anymore, the truth is that one of the best ways to protect teens while driving is through advice and modeling by parents.

If your teen driver is behind the wheel and they are injured or worse, killed, while driving, you may need an attorney to review your case.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will speak with you about how best to protect your long-term interests.