In 1997, Georgia enacted the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act.  The law has been successful in decreasing the total number of fatal crashes among 16 and 17-year-old Georgia drivers.  However, as successful as the law has been it has not eliminated young driver accidents in Georgia, nor should it have been expected to do so. 

The Top Three Reasons For Georgia Teen Driving Accidents

Preventing young driver accidents most often depends on the actions of the driver.  According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, 11,388 drivers aged 16 to 17 were in accidents during 2006.*  The top three reasons for those accidents included:

• Lost Control of the Vehicle

• Speeding

• Failure to Yield

Any of these accident causes can occur because a teen driver is engaged in reckless driving (such as showing off for friends without understanding the risks of such behavior), distracted driving (such as texting and driving) or inexperienced driving.

The Most Dangerous Time for New Drivers

The most dangerous time for teen drivers are in the hours immediately after school and in the early evening.  This may be because more teens are on the road during those hours than during the overnight hours.  However, as with all types of accidents, teen accidents can happen anytime.

What to Do if You or Your Child Has Been Hurt in a Georgia Teen Driver Accident

If you or your child have been hurt in a Georgia car crash, then you may be entitled to damages, even if your child was hurt as a passenger in a friend’s car.  In order to learn more about your rights after a Georgia car accident please read our free book, Four Common Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Georgia Car or Truck Claim.  To learn more about your individual case, please contact an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney at The Dover Law Firm. We can be reached at 770.518.1133 or via our online form.

*Source: Georgia Department of Transportation: Crash Analysis, Statistics & Information January 2008