The South Carolina Highway Patrol launched a campaign to curtail traffic deaths, which The Post and Courier reports started in full force over Memorial Day weekend. The kickoff was timed for this holiday because Memorial Day weekend is the commencement of the “100 Deadliest Days” – the time of year when most car accidents occur.
The “100 Deadliest Days” are an especially high-risk time for teen drivers who are out of school for the summer and who are at significant increased risk of a collision. CNN recently reported on the dangers that young people face during this time. Parents need to be aware of the dangers teens face on the roads and should talk to their kids about how to stay safe.
When accidents do occur, victims need to understand their legal rights. An experienced Charleston, SC accident lawyer can help you pursue a claim for compensation if you or a loved one is injured during the 100 Deadliest Days.
Higher Incidence of Fatal Teen Crashes During Summer
The “100 Deadliest Days” extend from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer. During this time period last year, there were 234 deaths and 14,553 people injured in South Carolina alone. Nationwide, CNN reported that almost 1,000 people lost their lives in fatal crashes involving teen drivers during the summer and around 550 of the victims who lost their lives were teenagers.
Throughout the year, teenagers are always at the greatest risk of being injured or killed in collisions because of their inexperience and because they often take risks when driving. The danger is worse in the summers because teenagers are off of school and often spend lots of time driving around unsupervised. Because they may be going to different places with their friends, like beaches and parks, they may also be traveling on unfamiliar roads.
Parents need to be aware of the added dangers in the summer and should set rules for their children to reduce the chances of a collision happening. One of the most important things that parents can do is limit the number of teens in the car at one time. Having multiple passengers in the vehicle can increase the risk of a teen driver crashing by at least 44 percent, and the more passengers there are the greater the chances of something going wrong.
When a teen passenger is killed or injured in a friend’s car, the young victim or his parents should not hesitate to take legal action. While you may be reluctant to pursue a damage claim for monetary compensation against someone you know, it is actually the insurance company that is going to end up paying the bills. The insurance company is in a much better position to cover the cost of car accident losses than the victim or his family members.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help South Carolina victims pursue the money they need after a crash with a teen driver. Call today to speak with an experienced legal professional and learn more about how you can take action.
