As temperatures rise, car accidents caused by teen drivers increase.
Summer in Nebraska can be a fun time for teenagers. Sadly, it’s also the time of year when many young drivers are most at risk of being involved in serious car accidents. Nebraska is one of the most dangerous states when it comes to teen driving accidents, according to a recent study conducted by Bumper.
“Young drivers are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in fatal accidents,” the Bumper.com article said.
Do more car accidents involving teens happen in the summer?
Accidents caused by drivers 16 to 19 years old during the summer are some of the most common car crashes nationwide. Between 2011 and 2020, 7,316 people died in collisions caused by teen drivers, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
This figure represents nearly 50 percent of the total number of people who die throughout the year in teen driver accidents. This is why the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is called the “100 Deadliest Days.”
In addition, the summer of 2021 was one of the deadliest for teen-driver crashes. Nearly 900 people died in these types of accidents, a 6 percent increase compared to 2020 and a 25 percent increase compared to 2019, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Nebraska teen driving accident statistics
Compared to other states nationwide, Nebraska was ranked the 16th worst state for collisions caused by teen drivers during the summer months, according to the Bumper.com study.
Specifically, the car accident fatality rate for teen drivers between Memorial Day and Labor Day in Nebraska was 4.03 accidents per 10,000 licensed teen drivers. That figure represents 41.4 percent of all annual teen driver fatalities on average in Nebraska.
Why teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes
Accidents caused by young drivers happen for many reasons, including:
- Inexperience, which results in teen drivers making poor decisions or failing to assess risks on the road accurately. In particular, many teen drivers speed and don’t have time to stop to avoid a crash.
- Distracted driving, especially if other teenagers are in the vehicle. Specifically, teen drivers are 2.5 times more likely to drive distracted if there’s another teen in the vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Even though the legal drinking age is 21, data shows that 19 percent of collisions are caused by teen drivers under the influence of alcohol.
During the summer months, joyriding without a destination often results in teen accidents. “We know that when teens are joyriding as opposed to driving with a specific destination and time in mind, there is a heightened risk,” said Diana Gugliotta, Senior Manager of Public Affairs for AAA Northeast.
Teen driving safety
Parents can take a more active role in educating their children about the dangers and risks of driving during the summer months. In particular, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety advises parents to “set very specific household rules with their teen drivers.” This includes:
- Remind teenagers to wear their seatbelts.
- Emphasize the importance of staying focused and avoiding texting or using the phone.
- Tell teens not to drive drunk.
- Explain the dangers of speeding and aggressive driving.
Legal help for crash victims
Car accidents caused by teen drivers often result in severe injuries or fatalities. When this happens, the emotional and financial toll of such serious collisions can be staggering. That’s why it’s essential for crash victims to fully understand their rights and their available legal options.
At Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O., our Omaha auto accident attorneys are here to help. We understand how the legal system works in Nebraska and can work with you to ensure your accident claim or lawsuit receives the attention it deserves.
To learn more about how we can help you, contact us and schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer you can count on in a crisis. Our office is in Omaha, and we handle accident claims throughout Nebraska. In addition, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you.