Most things in life take practice and experience, and driving is no exception. Inexperience, along with overconfidence and difficulty assessing risk, help explain why rates of injurious and fatal auto accidents are so high among teen drivers.
At Thurswell Law, we are strong advocates for measures to keep teens safe on the roads, including graduated driver licensing laws and parental support and oversight. However, when teen driving accidents in Michigan do happen, we also offer skilled legal representation to victims and their families. Whether you were hurt by a teen driver or as a teen driver, you can discuss your options with our compassionate car crash attorneys during a free consultation.
State Legal Restrictions on New Drivers
Like many states, Michigan has implemented a graduated driver licensing (GDL) program that initially places significant restrictions on new drivers, easing these restrictions as they age and gain experience. For example, with some exceptions, motorists with a level 2 intermediate license are banned from driving between the hours of ten p.m. and five a.m. and from driving with more than one other teen or young adult under 21 years old in the car. Teen drivers are also banned from any cellphone use, other than in an emergency.
These GDL restrictions are meant to reduce the risk of teen motorist collisions by helping Michigan’s young drivers avoid some of the most dangerous distractions. Unfortunately, they are not enough to prevent all such crashes.
Seeking Compensation After a Crash Caused by a Teen Driver
If you sustained injuries in a car crash in Michigan caused by a teenage driver, and your losses exceed the policy limits on a no-fault insurance claim, our attorneys could help you pursue your legal options, including personal injury litigation. The teen driver will likely be insured on their parents’ policy, with any legal disputes generally involving the parents and the insurance company, not the teen.
Teen drivers are expected to follow GDL requirements as well as other driving laws. If they violated one of those laws or requirements, it could help prove fault.
How Can Parents of Injured Teen Drivers Overcome Bias and Prove Liability?
There are many cases in Michigan when a young motorist is in a wreck that they did not cause and could not have prevented. If your teenage driver was injured under such circumstances, it is important to work with a skilled attorney when seeking damages. Unfortunately, there is likely to be an assumption that the inexperienced driver was at fault, and such bias can be difficult to overcome.
When you work with our firm, our legal team conducts a thorough and independent investigation into the accident to determine how it happened and who was to blame. We can then build a compelling case against the at-fault party and seek the fair compensation your teen driver deserves.
Contact Us Today To Discuss Michigan Teenage Driver Crashes
At Thurswell Law, we have been serving clients since 1968, including those injured in teen driving accidents in Michigan. We believe that experience gets results, and our team of dedicated attorneys has decades of combined legal experience, both in and out of the courtroom.
We take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand all available legal options. For a free initial consultation, call our office today.
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