More teenagers are killed in auto accidents every year than any other factor. New York car accident lawyers find that inexperience, a higher risk of distracted and drunk driving, and recklessness are often the primary driving factors in accidents involving teenagers. Earlier this month, a pregnant 15-year-old girl was killed in an accident in The Bronx.
The girl was a passenger in a car that was traveling on the Maj. Deegan Expressway. There were 4 other people in the car, including the driver. According to police, the car was speeding down the highway, and switching lanes recklessly. At some point, the driver lost control of the car, and the vehicle crashed into a concrete wall. All occupants were trapped in the vehicle, and had to be extricated by rescue personnel.
The young girl suffered a miscarriage at the scene, and died in the hospital later. The other occupants of the car were injured and are reported to be in a critical condition. Investigations into the accident have begun, but police have not identified a cause of the accident yet.
Teen motorists lack the experience and judgment needed to drive safely. Additionally, teenagers may be at a higher risk of accidents because they are more likely to be distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, and music systems while driving. Underage drinking is another huge problem that continues to be neglected across the country, and exposes teenagers to high risk of accidents. Additionally, teenage motorists tend to be aggressive and reckless, because they have a limited understanding of the risks of driving dangerously.
Apart from the implementation of cell phone and underage drinking laws, there’s little that law-enforcement can do to reduce the risk of accidents involving teenage motorists. Parents, schools and communities must do more to identify teen accident risks, and implement intervention strategies.