Car Accident With a Minor

Teen drivers make up less than 4% of all American drivers. Because of this, the chances of you being involved in a car accident with a minor are low.

But if you’re in a car accident with a teenage driver, this could cause complications if you choose to seek compensation for medical expenses. You’ll need to work with a reputable lawyer to explore your legal options.

Discover why a car accident with a minor is different than a car accident with an adult driver.

Understanding the Reasonable Person Standard After a Car Crash With a Minor

The reasonable person standard is a legal concept used to determine negligence in a car accident. It involves analyzing a person’s actions during a crash and determining whether they showcased the same level of caution a reasonable person would.

When you’re involved in a car accident with an adult, it’s typically much easier to use the reasonable person standard to compare their actions to the actions another adult driver might take. But it isn’t always as easy to do after a car accident with a minor.

Rather than comparing a teenage driver’s actions to the actions of an adult driver, a court may compare their actions to the actions of other minors. Other factors are also considered, such as driving experience and maturity. At the same time, older teen drivers are sometimes held to the same standards as adult drivers.

All of this may cause confusion after an accident with a minor and limit their liability in your case.

Assessing the Liability of Parents in Relation to a Car Accident With a Minor

Because of the reasonable person standard, a lawsuit against a teen driver might not be successful. In that case, you might be unable to collect as much compensation as you would like. However, you may be able to look into the liability of the parents in car accident cases involving minors.

The role parents played in a car accident involving a minor may come into question. An auto accident attorney might argue a teenage driver’s parents should have known their child wasn’t ready to drive on their own.

Working With an Experienced Lawyer Following a Car Crash With a Minor

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a car accident with a minor, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced car accident attorney. An attorney can break down the statute of limitations for these types of accidents and explain the settlement approval process that requires a judge to sign off on settlements in these cases.

Being involved in a car crash with a minor can be a traumatic experience, especially if injuries to children occurred. You may be left with psychological trauma and other mental health issues. A lawyer can make the legal process slightly easier after this type of devastating crash.

Reach Out to Us If You’re Involved in a Car Accident With a Minor

Were you in a car accident with a minor? Jeffrey R. Davis, P.A. can determine if the minor had enough insurance to cover your claim or if you should pursue a claim against your own insurance company. Give us a call at (305) 577-3777 today.