The total population of teenage drivers in the United States is relatively small. This age group only encompasses those between 16 and 19 years old. You do have some drivers who are on the road before that, as they get training when they’re 15, but they can’t get a license until 16.
Despite the small size of this age group, studies consistently find that they have the highest rate of fatal and other serious car accidents. This is clearly a more dangerous age group than those in their 30s, 40s or any other age. Teens are even more dangerous than drivers in their 20s, despite not having that much of an age difference between them.
Why does this happen?
Teenage drivers increase the risks for numerous reasons. For one thing, there is some evidence that they are more prone to risk-taking activities. This could lead to accidents that other drivers wouldn’t get involved in simply because they wouldn’t have been driving as recklessly in the first place.
But that’s not the biggest issue. Inexperience is the major reason why teens cause so many crashes. It takes time to learn how to drive safely. Most people learn through their mistakes. This is the same as it is with any other skill. But the fact of the matter is that mistakes made on the highway can be fatal. So as long as teen drivers lack experience, they’re going to keep causing crashes that can injure or even kill others on the road around them.
If you have been involved in one of these serious car accidents that was caused by another driver, you may be able to seek financial compensation for your losses.