If your child is about to start driving, you may feel nervous about their potential to become involved in an auto collision. While teen driving accidents in Walterboro cannot be avoided altogether, there are measures you can take to lessen the risk of their occurrence.
If your teen does become involved in a wreck, help is available from a seasoned car accident attorney at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda. Contact us to schedule a consultation to learn more.
Driving Restrictions for Teens in Walterboro
In Walterboro, teens can begin driving as early as age 15. However, there are requirements in place for getting a permit or license that are meant to help lessen the occurrence of accidents by giving teenagers time to get used to Walterboro driving conditions and following the rules of the road.
To obtain a beginner’s permit, an individual must pass a written knowledge test, a vision test, and acquire a signed adult consent form if under the age of 18. Beyond this stage, a person must drive for 180 days with a beginner’s permit before being eligible to apply for a driver’s license. During that time, there are restrictions such as limiting unsupervised driving and refraining from driving after a certain time of day. Other requirements for getting a driver’s license include:
- Being enrolled in school with satisfactory attendance
- Completion of a driver’s education course that includes eight hours in the classroom and six hours driving
- Driving practice with a licensed individual for at least 40 hours, including 10 hours of night driving
Parents can help their teenagers become better drivers and less likely to become involved in an accident by showing them what safe driving is so that they can put those practices in place.
Common Causes of Teen Auto Accidents
Teens are more likely to become involved in an accident due to inexperience. They are not used to properly adjusting for road conditions, whether that is sharp curves or driving the appropriate speed during a rainstorm. Another risk factor is driving carelessly at night.
In addition, driving with other teen passengers and becoming distracted is often a common accident scenario in Walterboro. With other teens in a car, a teen driver may feel peer pressure to show off, drive too fast, pass another car unlawfully, or make careless turns. Some teenagers have a sense of invincibility, which can result in reckless driving behavior. Cellphone use while driving is also hazardous and, unfortunately, prevalent among younger individuals.
Car Accident Claims Differ for Teen Drivers
If a driver is under 18 years of age, the parent will typically stand in their place legally if the teenager is hurt, they were not at fault, and a claim is pursued against the other driver for their negligence. This is because underage teen drivers cannot pursue an accident claim in the Walterboro court system.
If a teenager wins an award or a settlement in a case where they have suffered injuries due to the fault of another driver, there are specific processes that must be followed to complete the settlement. Alternatively, if the teenager is at fault for an accident, the owner of the vehicle, the parents, or both can be subject to being sued. It depends on the specific scenario.
Contact an Attorney Immediately if Your Teen Was Involved in a Walterboro Car Accident
Getting your child behind the wheel for the first time can be exciting and scary. In the unfortunate event that they are involved in a teen driving accident in Walterboro, rest assured that help is available. Reach out to a dedicated attorney from Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today to schedule a consultation.
