Getting a driver’s license and driving a car are rites of passage for many teenagers. However, adolescents are not immune to wrecks, and teen driving accidents in Columbia can cause injury and property damage.
If you get hurt in a crash involving a teen driver, our diligent car collision attorneys at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda could help you understand what happened and bring a claim for compensation.
Teenagers and Car Crashes
Teenagers approach adulthood rapidly but do not have the risk-assessment skills and general knowledge that come with time. Because of this, teens in Columbia are more likely to get into an automobile accident than other drivers.
Several factors can contribute to a teen car collision, including a lower skill level, lack of experience, and a propensity for risk-taking. Similarly, having multiple passengers—such as a car full of friends—and using cell phones can distract a teen driver as much as an adult. Teenagers may also have jobs and school schedules that force them to drive at night, hindering visibility and increasing the risk of a wreck.
Types of Injuries in Teen Car Accidents
As with most automobile crashes, you can expect certain injuries after a wreck with a teen driver. Head and neck injuries can lead to brain injuries and spinal cord damage or external and internal harm, such as broken bones or organ damage. Although teens may be able to bounce back from an injury while still growing and developing, any harm can be costly and endanger a driver’s life.
Seeking medical attention is the best first step after an accident, even if you feel all right. Afterward, you should make a claim for a teen driving crash based on any injuries or damages with the assistance of a Columbia attorney.
Claims for Compensation after a Teen Driving Collision
Most personal injury claims depend on negligence, responsibility for one person’s injuries based on the unreasonable behavior of another. Negligence typically requires proving four elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
For a Columbia teen driving accident, proving these incidents might look like gathering evidence that a driver owed a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely, breached that duty by driving poorly, and causing a crash. Obtaining damages requires you to make your claim for your injuries in legally recognized categories, such as property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws § 15-1-300, you can have your compensation reduced by the proportion of your own fault. If you hold more responsibility than the other contributing parties—over 50 percent—then you will not be able to recover.
A compassionate attorney could work with you to gather the proper evidence in court to prove the other party’s fault. They could also make sure that you file your claim within the statute of limitations provided, which in South Carolina is three years pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-3-530.
Speak with an Attorney About a Columbia Teen Driving Accident Today
The rules surrounding negligence, filing your claim, and proving fault are complex. A reliable lawyer could be essential in winning your case.
For answers to all your questions about teen driving accidents in Columbia, call our professionals at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda. We have helped numerous clients file their claims for fair damages. Our knowledgeable attorneys could guide you after a collision and help you get the compensation you deserve.
