Teen Driver Accidents

If you have been hurt in an accident caused by a negligent teenage driver, you may have rights that you can assert. People who have been injured in the Marietta area can discuss their situation with a car wreck attorney at Miller Legal Services. We can investigate the details of your case and pursue the compensation you deserve. These types of cases can be challenging because they often involve children. At Miller Legal Services, we understand the complexities that may arise from this situation and can fight for your rights.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of motor vehicle accidents is higher among individuals between the ages of 16 and 19 than any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teenage drivers in that age range are nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal wreck than their older counterparts. There are a number of reasons that they are more likely to cause car accidents than older drivers, such as driving inexperience, the inability to recognize hazardous situations, and susceptibility to distractions.

Under Georgia law, if a teenager negligently causes an accident, his or her parents may be liable for the resulting injuries. This is known as the “family purpose doctrine.” Four elements must be met in order for the rule to apply. First, the named parent must own or control the vehicle involved in the wreck. Second, the parent must have made the vehicle available for use by the teenager. Third, the driver must be a member of the parent’s immediate household. Lastly, the teenager must have had permission to operate the motor vehicle. If these four elements are proven, the teenage driver’s parents can be named in a personal injury lawsuit.

Being able to name a teenager’s parents in a personal injury lawsuit does not mean the victim is automatically entitled to damages. Regardless of whether or not the family purpose doctrine is used, the injured person still has to prevail on a claim of negligence in order to recover compensation. Negligence is the failure to meet the appropriate standard of care when performing a certain activity. To establish liability, an individual must show that the teenage driver owed the victim a duty of care, the teenager violated that duty, the breach caused the accident, and the victim incurred damages.

Once negligence is established, the injured person likely can assert the right to compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and benefits, property damage, pain and suffering, and any other costs arising from the wreck.

At Miller Legal Services, our injury lawyers have helped many Marietta residents and other individuals throughout Georgia. Dealing with an auto accident is never easy, and we try to make the process as seamless as possible for you and your family. While we aim to settle every case in an efficient manner, we are not afraid to advocate for your rights in the courtroom if necessary. We proudly represent clients in Roswell and Smyrna, among other communities. For more information, call us at 770-284-3727 or contact us online.