Must Parents Pay when their Teenagers Drive While Distracted?

Parents of teenage drivers should take notice - your child is currently at his or her greatest risk of being involved in a car accident. Statistics show that teens aged 15 to 20 years old, are the drivers most likely to be involved in or to have caused an accident. Aside from the heightened risk of teenage involvement in collisions, you should also be aware that in some cases, you could be on the hook for the costs of an accident.

Distracted Driving

One of the reasons that teens are at a greater risk is because they are the most likely motorists to engage in distracted driving. Distracted driving can include texting, talking to passengers, putting on makeup or using a navigation system while driving, according to http://www.distraction.gov, the U.S. government web site for distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 16 percent of teen drivers involved in fatal car accidents were reported to be driving while distracted.

Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents, including 16 percent of fatal crashes and 20 percent of crashes causing injury in 2009 alone. According to distraction.gov, drivers using hand-held devices, like cell phones, are four times more likely to be involved in car accidents serious enough to cause injury or death.

Liability for Parents for Car Accidents Caused by Teens

Provided that a teen driver is listed as an authorized driver on the family policy, insurance companies will cover most car accidents involving the teen. However, in some instances insurance will not fully cover the costs of the accident. As medical bills can add up quickly, in many cases, the injuries caused by the accident will exceed the policy limits, leaving the parent personally liable for the balance. Parents can protect themselves from personal liability by buying more than the state-mandated minimum amount of liability coverage.

If a teen drives while distracted, it might cost the parent dearly, as the insurance company may refuse to cover the costs of the accident. If the accident is serious enough, the insurance company will likely conduct a thorough investigation and may reject the claim if it finds that the teen driver's own negligence caused the accident.

The at-risk status of teen drivers along with the possibility of financial liability is a great reason to take the time to properly educate your child on the dangers of distracted driving and other risky driving behaviors. If you or your child have been involved in a collision, contact an attorney without delay. An attorney experienced in car accidents can advise you throughout the insurance claims process, ensuring that you get the full amount of compensation due to you under your policy.

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