In 2019, Kentucky was ranked as the most dangerous state in America for teen drivers.
Due mostly to driver inexperience and the presence of driving distractions, like teen passengers in the car, teen drivers are more likely to be involved in serious or even fatal crashes than other age groups.
If you or someone you know was involved in a teenage driving accident in Kentucky, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
You will want to speak with an experienced attorney before you negotiate with insurance companies, to determine the best strategy for your case so that you can obtain your maximum compensation.
Alarming Teen Driver Statistics
Despite an overall decline in fatalities for drivers ages 15-20 in the last decade, drivers in that age group remain overrepresented in the number of car accidents that occur on the roads each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen drivers ages 16-19 are at a higher risk of being involved in a car accident than any other age group.
Not only are teen drivers more likely to be involved in car accidents, but those accidents often result in more significant injuries. Drivers ages 16-19 are nearly three times more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents than drivers ages 20 and older. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States and in Kentucky.
Teenage driving accidents are a serious matter. If you or someone you love was injured in a teen driving accident, it is essential to speak with an experienced attorney to determine your best strategy to recoup your financial losses. Though the damage done by a serious car accident can’t be undone through a financial settlement alone, recovering compensation for things like medical expenses and pain and suffering will help you rebuild your life following a teen driving accident in Kentucky.
Why Teen Drivers Are Responsible for so Many Car Wrecks
Teen drivers are involved in car accidents at a higher rate than more mature drivers for several reasons. First, teen drivers are simply less experienced drivers. They have had less time on the road to hone their skills and reaction time. Second, teen drivers are more likely to be distracted by other people in the car. Third, teen drivers are more likely to text or use their phones while driving.
Furthermore, in a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, researchers isolated three factors that increased the risk of teen driving accidents. Those factors include:
- Driving in a vehicle with all teen passengers;
- Speeding; and
- Driving at nighttime (9 PM to 5 AM).
Where any one of these factors is present, the likelihood of a car accident increases significantly. Often, more than one of these factors is present simultaneously. Considering the likelihood that a teenage driver will be driving at nighttime, speeding, with teenage passengers, the risk of car accidents posed by teenage drivers is clearly significant, both for themselves and for other drivers and passengers on the road.
How to Obtain Recovery for an Auto Accident Claim
If you have been injured in a car accident with a teen driver, it is important to act quickly to protect yourself. You need to file a police report, gather contact and insurance information for other drivers, and notify your insurance company. You have the right to seek compensation through the other driver’s car accident insurance based on that driver’s percentage of fault. In the case of a teen driver, the insurance may be in the driver’s name or in the name of a parent or guardian.
Consulting with an experienced car accident attorney is an important step to obtaining recovery for your claim. Your attorney will explain the process of filing a claim, help you preserve available evidence, and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf.
The Flora Templeton Stuart 5 Step Process
Car accidents, especially those involving young, inexperienced drivers, can be life altering.
If you have been involved in such an accident, the attorneys at the Flora Templeton Stuart Injury Accident Lawyer are dedicated to helping you fight for the compensation you need.
Our attorneys follow a meticulous step-by-step process to ensure you are in the best position to seek recovery.
Investigation
Our attorneys will work with you to understand the evidence available in your case. If necessary, we will hire investigators and reconstructionists to investigate the facts, including:
- Photographing the scene,
- Inspecting the vehicles involved,
- Completing background checks,
- Obtaining witness statements, and
- Pulling police reports.
It is our goal to ensure that each case is supported by sufficient, persuasive facts to help you win your case.
Opening Claims and Establishing Liability
The Flora Templeton Stuart Law Firm will promptly open all claims for insurance coverage. We will communicate with insurance companies on your behalf and be sure to file all necessary documentation.
One of the most important aspects of a car accident case is proving that the other driver was at fault. Proving fault is essential to getting the maximum compensation following your accident.
In Kentucky, car insurance must include basic personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which pays up to $10,000 for medical expenses, lost wages (up to $200 per week), replacement services, and survivor’s benefits. PIP benefits are available regardless of fault. Our attorneys will work quickly to obtain PIP benefits for your current and future financial needs so that you don’t miss out on your maximum reimbursement under Kentucky law.
Gathering Medical Records and Bills
To help you prove your case, our firm will gather and maintain all car-accident-related medical treatment records. We request these records directly from providers so that our clients don’t have to. After a car accident, you should be able to focus on rehabilitating your life, your property, and your health. Let us keep track of the paperwork.
Negotiating the Settlement You Deserve
Once we have obtained all necessary medical records, bills, and other documentation related to your case, our firm will communicate a detailed demand to the insurance company. This letter will address the specific facts of your case and your injuries and will explain why you deserve the compensation you seek.
The settlement process can be demanding but often provides a more cost-efficient method of resolving your case. The attorneys at Flora Templeton Stuart have negotiated millions of dollars in settlements. Contact us today, so that we can work with you to get your maximum settlement.
If we are unable to negotiate an acceptable settlement, our attorneys may seek to mediate with the insurance company, or we will take your case to court.
Going to Court or Mediating Your Case
Settlement is the most common, and the most cost efficient, manner of resolving a teen car accident case. However, if we feel that the final offer is unacceptable, we will take your case to court. We will file a lawsuit to protect your interests and seek financial reimbursement for your property damage and injuries. After filing, we will continue to try to resolve your case through mediation, but we will be prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. We work on contingency, meaning that we don’t recover our fees unless we win your case.
How Our Experienced Kentucky Car Accident Lawyers Investigate Teen Car Accidents
At the Flora Templeton Stuart Law Firm, we pride ourselves on being a full service firm, where we represent our clients starting at the time of investigation and continuing until we win you a satisfactory resolution. We will work with you to preserve the evidence you already have and to seek out additional information and documentation that would be helpful to your case.
This may require hiring investigators and reconstructionists who can help procure necessary information to create a full picture of the accident. We want to make sure you have everything you need to prove the other party’s responsibility for your accident and the amount of your damages.
Seek Legal Assistance After a Car Crash Involving a Teen Driver
If you have been injured in a car accident with a teenage driver, you have the right to compensation for your injuries and property damage. It is important to speak with an attorney promptly following your accident to ensure that you can collect necessary evidence and documentation.
The Flora Templeton Stuart Law Firm has been serving the legal needs of Kentucky residents for nearly 45 years. We strive to serve our communities and our clients with a combination of compassion and experience. Contact us today, online or by phone, for a free case review. We will assess your situation and determine what we can do to help you obtain the recovery you deserve.
