Car wrecks involving teenagers present unique legal and financial challenges when it comes to seeking compensation for injuries and related losses. Who’s responsible when a teen driver causes a crash? What if a collision involves multiple teenage drivers? A car accident lawyer in Mississippi can help you and your family understand your legal options after a collision.
Common Causes of Teenage Car Accidents
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 2,600 people died in crashes involving drivers aged 15 to 18 in a recent year. Teen drivers face a heightened risk of car accidents due to a mix of factors, including:
- Inexperience – New drivers may struggle with decision-making, defensive driving, and reacting to unexpected road conditions.
- Distracted driving – Cell phones, texting, social media, and even other teen passengers are major distractions that can lead to collisions.
- Speeding – Many teens underestimate the dangers of speeding and overestimate their ability to control a vehicle at high speeds.
- Driving under the influence – Some teenagers make dangerous choices involving alcohol or drug use.
- Reckless driving – Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and ignoring traffic signs are common errors among teens who lack judgment behind the wheel.
- Nighttime driving – Visibility is reduced at night, and fatigue can impair reaction time, especially for inexperienced drivers.
- Weather conditions – Teens often lack experience navigating rain, fog, or icy roads.
If a teen driver struck you, you could be entitled to financial compensation. A car wreck attorney in Mississippi can review your legal options after hearing your story.
Mississippi Laws for Teen Drivers
Mississippi has a graduated driver’s license (GDL) program designed to help teens gain experience under safer conditions. These laws aim to reduce crashes involving young drivers by phasing in driving privileges:
- Learner’s permit (age 15) – Teens may apply after passing a written exam, eye test, and showing proof of school enrollment. They must drive under the supervision of a licensed driver age 21 or older seated in the front.
- Intermediate license (age 16) – After holding a learner’s permit for at least 12 months without any traffic violations, teens can take a road test for an intermediate license. Night driving restrictions apply — no driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekends, unless accompanied by an adult.
- Regular license (age 17+) – Teens have access to full driving privileges at age 17, provided they’ve completed earlier stages without violations.
GDL restriction violations can impact liability and insurance claims following a car crash, but this depends heavily on the specific facts and whether the teen driver was negligent. A Mississippi car accident lawyer can investigate your case to assess whether you have a valid claim.
Liability in Accidents Involving Teen Drivers
Determining liability after a car accident involving a teen driver follows the same general principles as any other crash in Mississippi. Fault is based on negligence, or a failure to exercise due care. However, certain factors can introduce complexities into these cases.
In many situations, the teen driver is personally liable if they violated traffic laws or drove carelessly. But if the teen is under 18, their parents may also be held responsible under Mississippi law. In such cases, the parent or guardian who signed a driver’s license application for a teen under 17 may be held jointly and severally liable for any negligent or willful misconduct the teen commits while driving.
In addition, if an adult (usually a parent or guardian) allows a teen to drive their car knowing they are incapable or unfit, the adult could be liable under the principle of negligent entrustment. Depending on the circumstances, Mississippi car accident laws may also extend liability to other parties, such as a bar or store that sold alcohol to an underage driver.
Regardless of who is liable, insurance companies do everything possible to minimize compensation to car accident victims. It’s a good idea to consult an attorney after a car crash to learn what fair compensation would be in your circumstances. In some cases, you may need to file a car accident lawsuit to get the compensation you deserve.
Investigating Teenage Car Accident Cases
Working with an experienced car accident lawyer can help you identify potentially liable party(s) in a teen driving crash. An attorney who is familiar with Mississippi car accident claims can conduct a thorough investigation into the case and collect key evidence, such as the police report and medical records linking your injuries to the wreck.
Other types of evidence can also be helpful in teen driver accident cases, such as witness statements, the teen’s cell phone records, driving history, and any record of violations of Mississippi GDL rules. When liability disputes arise, these details can help establish fault and uncover whether a parent or another party may share legal responsibility.
Compensation After a Crash Involving a Teenager
Victims injured in teen or learner’s permit car accidents in Mississippi may recover compensation for various losses, depending on the severity of the crash and whether they suffered serious injuries.
Common forms of compensation in personal injury claims include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation, such as physical therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Special Considerations When the Victim Is Underage
When a teenager suffers an injury in a car accident they didn’t cause, the legal process involves additional considerations. Children under 18 cannot file lawsuits independently, so a parent or legal guardian must file on their behalf. The court must also approve any settlement or award to ensure it serves the victim’s best interests.
Determining compensation in cases involving underage victims comes with unique challenges. Medical treatment, emotional trauma, and developmental impacts can have long-term consequences for a child’s future. As a result, estimating future losses, such as diminished earning capacity or extended rehabilitation, requires careful analysis. An experienced Mississippi car accident attorney can work with medical and financial experts to develop a fair estimate of your child’s claim.
Keep in mind that once a settlement is reached, you cannot go back and ask for more compensation. That’s why it’s critical to understand the fair value of the claim from the start. That way, you can demand maximum compensation and fight for every penny.
In many cases, funds awarded to a child are placed in a court-supervised account or trust until the child turns 18. Courts may also approve structured settlements that provide payments over time.
Contact Our Mississippi Car Accident Attorneys
If you suffered injuries in an accident involving a teenage driver in Mississippi, you may be entitled to compensation for the resulting expenses and losses. However, determining liability and seeking compensation in a car accident claim can be a time-consuming battle. Let Mama Justice – MW Law Firm stand up for you.
Our personal injury attorneys will fight like a mother for the compensation and accountability you deserve. With 400+ five-star reviews from satisfied clients, we bring a caring and holistic approach to every case. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our trusted and compassionate car accident lawyers.
