Young drivers cause accidents more frequently than experienced motorists. Until they gain the maturity to assess and respond to risks, inexperienced drivers are more likely to be at fault in crashes.
If you or your child suffered injuries in a crash, Dunnion Law is proficient in working with teen driving accidents in Fresno. Our car collision attorneys have been representing injured people for more than 50 years. We use our knowledge and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve after an injury.
According to the National Safety Council, driver age greatly impacts the likelihood that young motorists will be in an accident and that the crash will result in a fatality. Drivers aged 16 to 19 are more likely to have accidents, especially fatal crashes. The state addresses this issue with a graduated license scheme.
Teens can get a learner’s permit at age 15 1/2, but they must have a licensed driver aged 25 or older in the vehicle with them at all times, and they cannot carry other passengers. After six months, they can qualify for a provisional license but cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and cannot carry passengers under age 20 unless there is a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old in the vehicle. These restrictions remain in place for the first 12 months the provisional license is in effect, and a teen cannot get an unrestricted license until they turn 18 years of age.
If you were in a Fresno crash with a teen driver, our attorneys will review the teen’s licensure status. If the teen was not in compliance with the rules, the violation is evidence of negligence. The police report, video footage, and witness statements can help provide more evidence.
Parents are liable for their minor child’s car accident under California Vehicle Code § 17707. Minors receive coverage under their parents’ insurance, and any damages that exceed that coverage are the joint responsibility of the parents and child.
When a child is age 18 or older, parents can be liable under some circumstances, such as if the vehicle registration or the insurance policy is in the name of a parent. Fresno attorneys can argue that the parent should be liable if the teen in the wreck lives with the parent, and the parent knew their child should not drive because of intoxication or some other reason.
A challenging situation can arise if your teen suffered injuries while driving. Even when there is ample proof that another driver was at fault, the insurance company for the at-fault driver will try to shift responsibility onto your child. The company will use any deviation from the laws that govern teen drivers to claim your child was negligent and exploit their inexperience to assert that they could have avoided the collision in Fresno if they were more skillful.
The law allows insurance companies to reduce their liability when an injured person is partially at fault, so insurers have an incentive to be ruthless in blaming your child. Our attorneys can help preserve your teen’s rights to full compensation by preparing a robust case with clear evidence of the other driver’s mistakes.
Teen driving accidents in Fresno can have tragic consequences. If you or your child suffered harm in a wreck that involved a teen driver, contact Dunnion Law today for help.
There are no up-front costs. We only take a fee if we obtain compensation for you, and consultations are free. Contact us and let us help you get fair compensation for your losses.
