Motor vehicle accidents are the leading causes of death for teens in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2,163 teens aged 16 to 19 died and 243,243 received treatment for injuries after crashes in 2013.
As a parent, it is natural to be concerned about letting your teen drive. Fortunately, you can reduce your child’s risk of accident, injuries, and worse by following these four tips:
- Purchase a safe vehicle;
- Enroll your child in a defensive driving course;
- Enforce safety rules;
- And lead by example.
If the worst happens and your teen suffers an injury in a crash with a negligent driver, contact Morris Bart & Associates, LLC. A Montgomery auto accident lawyer will help you fight for the maximum compensation for medical bills and other losses.
Here are four tips that can help your teen stay safe behind the wheel:
Purchase a Safe Vehicle
Larger, heavier vehicles tend to fare better in accidents, so consider purchasing an SUV. Be sure to check safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you buy a used car, evaluate its vehicle history report. It will provide information about:
- Liens on the vehicle;
- Incorrect odometer settings;
- Past owners;
- Title history problems;
- Maintenance;
- And crash history.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Enroll Your Child in a Defensive Driving Course
As the Department of Motor Vehicles explains, defensive driving courses teach participants about:
- Traffic laws in Louisiana;
- How to share the road safely with other vehicles and pedestrians;
- Defensive driving habits;
- And traffic violations.
If you complete the course, you may be eligible for an insurance discount. Discuss this with your provider.
Enforce Safety Rules
Create a list of safe driving guidelines, and go through them with your child. Also, do not allow your child to drive at night, limit the number of passengers that he or she carries, and install an app that prevents smartphone-related distracted driving. Examples include:
- Sprint’s Drive First;
- Cellcontrol;
- ly;
- Textecution;
- And Kyrus Mobile.
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Lead by Example
If you don’t wear your seatbelt, then don’t expect your child to wear one. Always lead by example. Buckle up, use your turn signals, don’t speed, and obey all traffic laws. If your child sees you bending the rules, then he or she might think it’s acceptable.
If you or your child was injured by a negligent driver in Alabama, then you may be entitled to compensation for lost income, medical bills, and other damages. Contact a Montgomery personal-injury attorney from Morris Bart & Associates, LLC to discuss your legal options.
We can handle the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on recovery. Call 800-537-8185 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
