The Barnes Firm

Teenagers at Highest Risk of Deadly Car Accidents During the Summer

• June 24, 2019
• Sandy

OAKLAND, Calif. — During the summer months, when most students in the U.S. are on break from school, teenagers are at an increased risk for deadly car accidents. An Oakland car accident lawyer with The Barnes Firm says the summer has the highest number of fatal teen driving accidents every year, and

100 Deadliest Days

Due to the extreme number of vehicle accidents involving teenagers during the summer, the period of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day has been named the “100 Deadliest Days” for teenager-involved car accidents. During each day of the 100 Deadliest Days, fatal car accidents involving drivers between the ages of 15 and 18 are 17 percent higher, compared to other days of the year.

AAA indicates that close to 3,500 car accident fatalities involving teen drivers occurred during the 100 Deadliest Days from 2013 to 2017. Broken down, the total number of fatalities averages to about 700 every year between Memorial Day and Labor Day alone. About one-third of the people killed in these accidents were the teenage drivers, while the majority were other drivers or passengers.

A car accident lawyer in Oakland attributes the sharp rise in teen driving collisions and fatalities during this time of year to schools’ summer breaks. When teenagers are not in school, they’re spending far more time out driving.

Factors Contributing to Teen Crashes

AAA found that three major factors contribute to fatal accidents involving teen drivers during the summer. These include:

• Distractions
• Alcohol
• Speed

According to car accident statistics from 2013 to 2017, 9 percent of fatal teen-involved crashes during the 100 Deadliest Days involved distracted driving, 17 percent involved alcohol, and 28 percent involved speeding.

The most recent Traffic Safety Culture Index from AAA shows that 52 percent of surveyed teenagers admitted to reading texts or emails while driving during the last 30 days. Close to 40 percent of teens said they had sent a text or an email while driving in the last 30 days. However, our best car accident lawyers in Oakland believe distracted driving is an underreported factor in fatal teenage driving accidents during the 100 Deadliest Days. An Oakland car accident attorney at The Barnes Firm says distractions are likely a factor in 75% of all crashes.

The Traffic Safety Culture Index also indicates that teenage drivers involved in deadly traffic accidents during the 100 Deadliest Days test positive for alcohol at a rate of one in every six. Summer parties and poor decisions surrounding alcohol lead to numerous tragic accidents each year.

But more than distraction and drunk driving, speeding is a significant factor in deadly accidents involving teens each summer. About half of surveyed teenagers said they drove above the speed limit through a residential area in the last 30 days, according to the Traffic Safety Culture Index, and nearly 40 percent of teens said they drove above the speed limit on a freeway in the last 30 days. At higher rates of speed, drivers leave themselves less time to react, and they raise the odds of serious crashes.

Teen Driving Safety

Oakland car accident lawyers say teenagers and their parents can work on safe driving habits leading up to the summer and throughout the year. Teens and parents need to talk about the importance of alcohol-free, distraction-free driving and about always staying inside the speed limit. All teenagers should take driver education courses that focus on preventing distracted driving and other unsafe driving behaviors.

AAA also offers an online session for parents that discusses reinforcing the information their children will learn during driver education classes, tips for practice driving lessons, and strategies for managing teenagers’ driving privileges.

What To Do If You’re In An Accident

Unfortunately, accidents do happen – even if you’re a safe driver. If you’ve been injured in an accident, our experienced car accident lawyers in Oakland can help. We’ll fully investigate the facts of the crash to help you maximize your claim.

At The Barnes Firm, our Oakland car accident attorneys have helped victims recover millions of dollars in compensation, and we’ll make sure you’re getting the medical treatments you need to help get your life back on track. Contact us online or give us a call for a FREE consultation.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000