Accidents rates among age groups can tell you what types of drivers are most likely to cause serious crashes, and that can shed some light on the risks you face on the road — and the reasons that you face those risks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the greatest risk comes from teen drivers. They are the age group that outpaces all others when looking at crash rates. Their crash rate is as much as three times higher than what you’ll find for older drivers. That does not mean they cause three times as many total accidents since they are a small age group, but just that they cause three times as many per mile driven.
What is the reason for these rates? It’s often very simple, and you just have to look at when they got a driver’s license. The risk is incredibly high during the first few months. It then falls a bit, but the continued drop as they move out of their teens and beyond is just due to experience. A 17-year-old likely has little more than a year of real experience, while a 20-year-old could have four times as much. While 17 and 20 may not seem all that far apart to someone who is in their 40s or 50s, the experience gap is massive. Teens who simply have not been driving for very long are more likely to make mistakes, and these mistakes then lead to accidents.
Just getting through your own teens doesn’t eliminate the risks you face, though. You could still get hit by another young driver, and then you need to know what legal steps to take. You have a right to fair compensation for your losses, including the cost of your medical bills and lost wages, but dealing with the insurance company on your own can be a mistake.
To learn more, visit our Motor Vehicle Accidents page.
To speak with a personal injury attorney, use our Fast Pass link to schedule a consultation and be contacted within one business day.