New Jersey Teen Driving Accident Lawyers

Many teen drivers are law-abiding and very responsible. Still, statistics show that teen drivers present a significant risk. Despite representing only six percent of all licensed drivers in New Jersey, teenaged motorists are involved in 13 percent of all wrecks.

Unfortunately, the cost of teen driving accidents is significant. Many teens lose their lives each year, and some kill or injure innocent victims. Those who are victims of accidents involving teen drivers can take legal action to recover money for their losses.

To learn how a skilled, experienced and dedicated New Jersey teen driving accident lawyer can help you, call Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., today at 1-800-LAW-2000 or complete our online form.

We can review the facts of your case and explore options for seeking compensation. These options include filing a no-fault insurance claim with your insurer or a personal injury lawsuit against the insurer of the at-fault teen driver.

In some cases, a claim may be brought against parents who allowed alcohol to be served to an underage person (younger than age 21) who subsequently causes a car accident.

At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we can provide a free initial consultation about your case. We won’t charge for our legal services unless we recover for you.

Filing a personal injury claim after a car accident involving a teen driver can be a complex process, but it’s essential for recovering compensation for your losses. Since teenagers are minors, the process involves a few extra considerations.

Bonus: If you’re just starting out driving in New Jersey, here’s a helpful resource from the government!

Can I File a Claim Against a Teen in New Jersey After a Car Accident?

Yes, you can file a claim in New Jersey if a teen driver is at fault for your car accident.

The claim is not against the teenager’s personal assets but against their auto insurance policy, which is typically provided by a parent or guardian. New Jersey law requires all drivers to be insured, and this insurance is what covers your damages.

Furthermore, New Jersey law holds parents legally and financially responsible for accidents caused by their minor children. This concept of “parental liability” ensures that victims have a clear path to compensation.

But, what if you were part of an accident as a teen?

Can I file a claim as a teen in New Jersey after a car accident?

In New Jersey, a minor (anyone under 18) cannot directly file a lawsuit on their own. However, a personal injury claim can be filed on your behalf by a parent or legal guardian. If your family decides to file a claim, here’s what you need to know. Since you’re under 18, the process has steps to protect you, but you are the most important part of the case.

The Legal Process

The court will name your parent your “guardian ad litem,” which means they officially make decisions for you in the lawsuit.
Remember, the claim is almost always against the other driver’s insurance company, not the driver personally. You are seeking compensation to cover your medical costs from a large corporation.
Your lawyer will gather evidence like police reports and doctor’s notes. You may have to give a “deposition,” which is just a formal interview about the accident with your lawyer by your side.

Throughout this process, your main jobs are simple: focus on your recovery and tell the truth. Your family and lawyer are there to handle the rest.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Navigating the System: An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and guide you through the claims process. They will review the specifics of your case and determine the best course of action.
Dealing with Insurance Companies: Lawyers are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement. They can handle all the communication and paperwork, so you can focus on your recovery.
Proving Fault: To win a personal injury lawsuit, you need to prove that the other driver was at fault. A lawyer can help gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and expert testimony, to build a strong case on your behalf.

Dangers of Teen Driving

Statistics on teen driving dangers from the Teen Driving Fact Sheet and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the dangers presented by teen drivers. According to the data:

Car wrecks are the leading cause of death for people ages 16-20.
Auto accidents account for one out of every three teen deaths in the U.S.
34 teenage drivers and eight teenage passengers died in car accidents in New Jersey in a single recent year. The following year, 19 teenage drivers and 14 teen passengers were killed.
Teens ages 16-19 are four times as likely to die in a car wreck than adults.
47,960 New Jersey crashes involved teen drivers. This amounts to a teen’s crashing his or her car every 10 minutes in New Jersey.
In the U.S., eight teens ages 16-19 die each day because of car crashes.
Teen auto wrecks cost $14 billion annually in lost productivity and medical bills.

New Jersey attempts to mitigate the dangers of teen driving by using a graduated driver’s license system. Unfortunately, teens continue to cause crashes every day.

Causes of Teen Car Accidents

Teenager driving a car Car accidents involving teenagers can occur for any number of reasons. According to the Teen Driving Fact Sheet, distraction, inexperience, speeding and/or failure to yield are among the leading causes.

The CDC also takes a close look at teen car crashes. The agency has identified the following factors as five reasons why teens are more likely to be injured in wrecks:

Driver inexperience – Adverse weather and dangerous road conditions can exacerbate the effects of inexperience.
Driving with friends – Each additional person in the car can make a crash more likely. Friends pose a distraction and may encourage reckless behavior.
Driving at night – Although all age groups are more likely to be involved in night-time crashes, this is especially a problem among teen drivers.
Lack of seatbelt use – The CDC indicates that teens have the lowest rate of using seatbelts of any group. This contributes to the high number of fatalities.
Distracted driving – Distraction.gov indicates that 11 percent of drivers under 20 who were in fatal crashes were distracted at the time. Distractions may include eating behind the wheel, reading or grooming. But the use of cell phones or electronic devices is the major contributing cause of wrecks. Distraction.gov figures show that 40 percent of teens in America reported being in a car with a driver using a cell phone in a dangerous way.
Underage drinking or drug abuse – Unfortunately, statistics show that serious or fatal accidents are caused by teenagers who drink and drive or use drugs before getting behind the wheel.

Underage Teen Drinking and Social Host Liability Laws

In New Jersey, anyone who serves alcohol to a minor (or person under age 21) or who makes their home or property available for the purpose of allowing minors to consume alcohol can face criminal punishment. Usually this type of negligence is covered by the adult homeowner’s insurance policy.

New Jersey’s social host liability law also allows such hosts to be sued if the underage driver later causes an accident that involves the injury or death of an innocent third party. Additionally, an underage guest can file a lawsuit against the host if that minor was negligently served alcohol and injured later on in a car accident.

At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we can help you to hold the social host who served the teen driver who caused your accident fully accountable for their misconduct. We have handled numerous cases involving New Jersey’s social host liability law.

Contact a New Jersey Teen Driving Accident Lawyer Today for Legal Help

Looking at the causes of teen driving accidents, it is apparent that certain teenagers are often negligent in their driving behavior. These crashes can have serious consequences. If you are a victim, whether you are a passenger in the car or another driver on the road, a New Jersey teen driving accident lawyer can help.

Injured accident victims may work with our lawyers to sue or make a claim for compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress or other damages. Teens, like all drivers, are represented by insurance companies. So, you don’t need to worry about the teen’s not having sufficient assets or feel guilty about holding the teen driver responsible for your losses.

To learn more about taking action after a teen driving accident, contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., today at 1-800-LAW-2000 or complete our online form. Our initial consultation is free. We can meet at your home or the hospital. We can also speak by phone, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or GoToMeeting. We charge no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.