Police Investigate Roll-over in Kennewick
Kennewick Police are investigating a one-car rollover accident that occurred on Canal Drive, just west of the Highway 395 overpass, where a teenaged driver hit a side curb and lost control of the vehicle, before rolling it over. Officers believe that speed was the primary factor in the cause of the car accident. Medics were called to the scene and checked both teenagers out. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported at that time.
Speed is the Leading Cause of Car Accidents among Teenagers
While the juvenile driver and his teenaged companion survived this rollover, it’s important to note that car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. Over half of all fatal teenage car accidents involve excessive speed. Some teenagers admit to driving fast for the sheer thrill of it, while others say they speed because they are late for a class or need to be home by a certain time. Whatever the reason, speeding is a risky behavior that significantly increases the chances of being in a car accident, or even killed.
Lack of Experience a Factor
“Immaturity and lack of driving experience are the two main factors leading to the high crash rate among teens. Teens’ lack of experience affects their recognition of and response to hazardous situations and results in dangerous practices such as speeding and tailgating.” Research also shows that when teenage drivers have other teens in the car with them, the risks of a car crash dramatically increase. http://www.iii.org/issue-update/teen-drivers
Dangerous Driving Behavior in Teens
Speeding is a form of aggressive driving behavior that not only endangers the person behind the wheel, everyone on the road with them, and particularly—their passengers. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding Combining aggressive driving behavior and inexperience, it’s no wonder that speeding is one of the top three mistakes teens make when learning to drive. http://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/10/speeding-one-of-top-deadly-mistakes-made-by-teen-drivers/
Filing an Auto Accident Claim as a Passenger
An auto accident can damage more than just your car. In most states, drivers are required to carry an insurance policy that covers vehicular damage, as well as coverage for occupants inside the vehicle, in the event of a car crash. Passengers can file a claim against the driver’s insurance to help defray the cost of medical bills, loss of earnings/wages, and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident. If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a car driven by a teen driver and are uncertain of what coverage you are entitled to, contact Fielding Law Group for a free legal consultation .
(photo courtesy of Bob Brawdy/Tri-Cities Herald)