What Should My Teenager Do If They Are in a Car Accident?

It’s the middle of the night and you wake up to a phone call from your 17-year-old; they’ve been in a car accident. This is a call you hoped to never receive. Regardless of whether it was your child’s fault, try to remain calm, even though it’s easy to let all the legal and financial consequences consume your mind. Recognize that a car accident can be a traumatic experience with lasting effects on teenagers who are new to driving.

Unfortunately, many teenagers are not prepared to handle this situation. While no parent wants to imagine their child in a car accident, it’s your responsibility to educate and support them when challenging circumstances arise. The Barnes Firm’s top car accident lawyers say not only should you teach your teen to drive safely and make responsible choices, but you should also explain how critical it is to handle the accident cautiously. Preparing ahead of time provides your teenager with the information and steps they need to take after a car accident.

Steps Teens Should Take at the Scene of the Accident

Car accidents can cause the mind and body a huge amount of stress. When adrenaline kicks in, your teenager may make irrational decisions at the site of the accident due to feeling panicked or worried. To prevent this from happening, make an accident checklist sheet to place in their glove box. The accident checklist should remind your child to:

• Always stay calm and focus on their health
• Seek medical attention immediately
• Call the police and check if any passengers or others involved are injured
• Notify parents or guardians
• Never admit fault or blame anyone else
• Safeguard the scene by moving the vehicle to the side of the road
• Exchange information with all drivers, including names, licenses, insurances, and vehicle information
• Take notes of the accident scene, including the date, time, and location
• Take photos and videos of any damage or injuries
• Collect the accident report from the police, including the officer’s information
• Call the insurance company to report the accident
• Contact AAA or some form of roadside assistance if the vehicle needs to be towed

As a parent, do your best to get to the scene of the accident quickly. If you’re unable to make it, contact a close relative to see if they can help. This will comfort your child and provide you with helpful information you’ll need later when dealing with insurance companies and settlements. Above all else, remember this: there is nothing more important than the well-being of your child.

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What Teens and Parents Should Do After a Car Accident

Once you know your teen is safe, there are several decisions and steps you will need to take together. Often, both insurance and legal processes can be confusing for teenagers to navigate. You must walk your teen through each step and remain patient as you wait for answers.

Following the car accident, you and your child are a team. Discuss how insurance companies handle accident claims and make sure your child keeps you in the loop. Remind them to have you nearby when they receive calls from the insurance company and to not take any action without your guidance. Inform your teen that they shouldn’t sign any paperwork unless you say otherwise. If insurance companies are hesitant to provide your teen with compensation to cover car repairs or medical bills, you may want to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney together. Most importantly, check up on your teen and monitor how they’re feeling.

How to Help Your Teenager Avoid Car Accidents

Helping your child handle a car accident may not always be something you can prepare for. However, it is your job to promote good driving behaviors to prevent them from being involved in one. Teaching your teen driving responsibilities early on will not only help build a good driving history but also help keep everyone safer on the roads. Before handing over the keys, discuss the following:

• Safe driving techniques
• The risks of dangerous driving habits
• The “dos and don’ts” of driving
• New York driving laws and regulations

With your supervision, let your teen practice as much as possible before driving on the main roads. Building experience and gaining confidence behind the wheel will teach them how to react in different driving conditions. Leading by example and cultivating safe driving habits can ensure that your child understands the expectations and rules you have for them when it comes to driving.

Seasoned Attorneys Defending Car Accident Victims

While the risks of your teenager being in a car accident can be reduced with education, guidance, and awareness, not all accidents are avoidable. Both your child and the other drivers involved can sustain serious injuries. If your teenager was hurt in a car accident, the trusted car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm can determine how to help you and your child best move forward.

The trusted attorneys at The Barnes Firm have assisted accident victims with our claims for decades and have successfully obtained favorable settlements for our clients. To schedule a free consultation, call our office or complete a contact form today. Let us help minimize the impact of your teen’s car accident on their life today.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

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Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
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