A Car Accident Attorney Discusses the Troubling Trend
According to a recent report by ValuePenguin, young drivers in Texas (ages 15 to 20) were involved in far more fatal car accidents from 2010 to 2019 – a total of 4,278 – than any other state in the nation. California came in a distant second (3,617), while Florida ranked third (3,178).
Nationwide, the age group totaled 41,187 fatal accidents for the decade.
There is a glimmer of good news in the tragic numbers. For the decade, Texas saw a 5% drop in fatal accidents for the age group, although that is far below the nationwide decrease of 14%. Their share of involvement in fatal accidents was 14%, slightly higher than the national average of 13%.
Across the country, 29,227 people ages 15 to 20 died in fatal crashes for the period of 2010 to 2019. Of those, 62% were young people behind the wheel, while 38% were passengers. The largest share of those who died were people ages 25 to 34 (19%).
Besides the human toll, insurance rates for younger drivers involved in a single accident in Texas shot up an alarming 298%, far higher than the national average increase of 253%. The average Texas policy that cost $2,653 annually in 2010 was a mindboggling $10,561 in 2019 after an accident.
Safe Driving Tips for Teens
As with any driver, a young motorist can best protect themselves and others by practicing good driving habits, staying attentive, and obeying the rules of the road. In that vein, here are some defensive driving tips for Texans:
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Driving under the influence can lead to a loss of coordination, poor judgment, distorted vision, cause blackouts, and severely impact your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
- Obey the speed limit. If you are in an accident, faster speeds lead to high-impact collisions that can result in catastrophic injuries and death.
- Avoid aggressive drivers and yield to motorists who drive carelessly. Give them plenty of distance if they are engaging in careless behavior, such as switching lanes without signaling, tailgating, etc.
- Maintain a calm demeanor. Losing your cool can cause you to take dangerous chances behind the wheel.
- Do not drive while distracted. The road and the traffic around you should have your full attention. Avoid phone calls, texting and driving, checking social media, eating, personal grooming, etc. If necessary, turn off your phone and stow it in the glovebox to avoid temptation.
- Drive only when you are well-rested. One study cited driver fatigue in 20% of accidents.
Keep Calm and Call Karam
When you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by another driver, you deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and any other losses you suffer as a result of the crash. The problem is auto insurance companies care more about protecting profits than providing fair compensation to crash victims. That's why it's common for insurance adjusters to use every trick in the book to delay, dispute, or deny valid injury claims.
At Karam Law Firm, attorney Aizar J. Karam Jr. has decades of experience representing crash victims and fighting for every dollar they deserve. Let our law firm help you hold those responsible for your injuries accountable and build a compelling case for maximum compensation.
To see how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. We have offices in McAllen & Edinburg, Texas.