Whether you’re a teen driver involved in a Georgia car accident or an older driver involved in a collision with a teenager, these cases involve some unique legal challenges. Not only are you dealing with severe injuries and expensive medical bills, but you also need to untangle a complex web of liability issues. If you try to handle your case yourself, you risk not recovering the resources you need to move forward.
Attorney Joshua E. Palmer understands the unique challenges of car accidents involving teen drivers in Georgia. No matter your age or role in the crash, our legal team can represent you in your fight for justice and fair compensation. With decades of legal experience and a proven track record in high-stakes cases, Attorney Palmer understands your needs and how to guide your case to a successful conclusion. Call Joshua E. Palmer Law today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
Special Challenges in Georgia Teenage Driving Accident Cases
Car accidents involving teenage drivers can present unique legal challenges due to teens’ inexperience behind the wheel and some special laws that often come into play. In Georgia, the Family Purpose Doctrine (O.C.G.A. § 51-2-2) is a critical factor in many of these cases. Under this doctrine, parents or guardians may be financially responsible for an accident their teen driver causes if the following circumstances apply:
- The parents or guardians owned the car
- The teen had a parent’s or guardian’s permission to use the car
- The teen was using the car for a family purpose, such as running an errand
This means that even if the teenager caused the crash, their parents’ insurance policy or assets could be at risk.
Other Things Associated with Teen Driving
Teenage drivers are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors like:
- texting,
- speeding,
- or driving with too many passengers,
all of which increase the likelihood of a crash. Proving liability may involve demonstrating that the teen’s inexperience or negligence directly caused the crash.
Finally, determining compensation can become complicated in cases involving severe injuries, especially when multiple parties or insurance policies are involved. An attorney experienced in teenage driving accident cases can help you address these issues, assess liability, and pursue all available avenues for compensation.
Common Causes of Teenage Driving Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teenage drivers are much more likely to engage in risky behaviors that can cause a crash, such as:
- Distracted Driving – Teenagers often use cell phones to text or use social media while driving, diverting their attention from the road and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Speeding – Inexperience and overconfidence may lead teen drivers to exceed speed limits, making it harder for them to react to sudden hazards or control their cars.
- Following Too Closely – Tailgating is common among young drivers who underestimate the distance needed to stop safely, which can lead to rear-end collisions.
- Driving with Passengers – Teen drivers are more likely to get distracted by friends in the car. This divided attention can lead to poor decision-making and collisions.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Signals – Teenagers may ignore stop signs, run red lights, or fail to yield the right-of-way, contributing to dangerous collisions.
- Driving Under the Influence – Although illegal for teens, some still drive after consuming alcohol or drugs, significantly impairing their ability to operate a vehicle safely.
- Inexperienced Driving in Bad Weather – Teens may not know how to handle rain, snow, or ice, increasing the likelihood of losing control or skidding off the road in bad weather.
- Risky Lane Changes or Merging – Misjudging gaps in traffic or failing to check blind spots during lane changes can result in sideswipe or merging accidents among teen drivers.
- Fatigue – Teens often drive late at night after school or social activities, making fatigue a common factor in teenage driving crashes.
- Overcorrection in Emergencies – When faced with sudden obstacles, teens may overcorrect their steering or brake abruptly, leading to rollovers or other severe accidents.
Common Injuries from Teenage Driving Accidents
Accidents involving teen drivers in Warner Robins, GA, frequently lead to devastating injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ injuries
- Severe burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Severed, crushed, or amputated limbs
- PTSD and other mental health conditions
For teen drivers or passengers in these accidents, these injuries are particularly severe because they can linger for years after a crash, sometimes for the rest of their lives. It’s vital to work with an experienced attorney who can help you recover fair compensation after a collision.
Compensation for a Teenage Driving Accident in Georgia
Because accidents involving teenage drivers can result in significant injuries, it’s crucial to seek maximum compensation for all the harm you’ve suffered due to the crash. An experienced attorney can help you seek compensation for all your eligible losses, including money for:
- Lost income
- Reduced future earnings due to an injury or disability
- Current and future medical expenses
- Diminished quality of life due to an injury or disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- The cost to repair or replace your damaged personal property
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Our team understands the financial stress you’re feeling after a teenage driving accident, and we don’t want to add to your burden. Joshua E. Palmer Law doesn’t charge any upfront fees for these cases, meaning anyone who needs our services can afford them.
Deadline to File a Georgia Car Accident Lawsuit
In most situations, Georgia law gives you two years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit. However, injured teens may have more time to file if they were younger than 18 when the crash happened. In these circumstances, the two-year countdown starts when the teenager turns 18. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to pursue compensation.
Contact a Georgia Teenage Driving Accident Attorney Now
Trust Joshua E. Palmer Law to protect your rights after a teenage driving accident in Warner Robins, GA. Call now or reach out online for a free case evaluation.
