The 100 deadliest days for teens, a period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, are just around the corner. During this time of year, the risk of becoming involved in a crash with a teen driver dramatically increases. Nevada’s youngest licensees are especially vulnerable during this period due to increased traffic in the summer months while kids are out of school and families are on vacation, their own inexperience, and driver distractions that are common for teens. Nevada is a “fault” state. Injured crash victims have a right to obtain a car accident lawyer and make a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
Car Accidents Increase During the 100 Deadliest Days
Teen drivers between the ages of 16-19 are already at a higher risk of causing deadly accidents throughout the year. During the 100 Deadliest Days, however, that risk skyrockets. AAA reports that an average of 1,022 people die in crashes with teen drivers each year during this period. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the number of deaths caused by crashes involving teens increases by 16 percent.
Top Distractions for Teen Drivers
A study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety confirms that almost 60 percent of teen crashes are caused by distracted driving. Researchers at the University of Iowa worked with the AAA Foundation to study more than 2,200 videos leading up to teen crashes from in-car dash cameras. In those crashes, three main distractions were found to be consistent:
- 15 percent of crashes involved talking or reacting to other passengers in the car
- 12 percent of crashes involved texting, talking, or using a cell phone
- 11 percent of crashes involved looking at or doing something inside the car
Direct Link to Cell Phone Use
Cell phone use has been linked to increased risk of teen crashes. Texting increases crash risk by 23 times when compared with driving while not distracted. An AAA Foundation survey of teen drivers found that almost half of respondents admitted using their phone to read text messages or email during the 30 days before the survey.
Nevada is a Fault State
Because Nevada is a fault state, the “at fault” driver in a car accident is held liable for damages. This includes teen drivers. Injured parties residing in the Henderson area have the right to seek compensation for their losses stemming from accidents.