Abogados especializados en accidentes de conductores adolescentes en Ohio

What To Do After a Teen Driver Car Accident?

The teen driver accident lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick understand how car accidents are stressful for everyone involved. However, they are particularly overwhelming for teen drivers, and it can be hard to know what to do after an accident:

• Stay calm and remain at the scene – A teen may be anxious and tempted to flee the scene of the accident. Since doing so is illegal, they should stay calm and remain at the scene.
• Call the police – The police should be called so that a police report can be filed and used down the road if a personal injury claim is filed.
• Don’t admit fault – A teen may feel bad and apologize if they believe the accident is their fault. They should refrain from doing so, as admitting fault can hurt them in the future.
• Document the scene – It’s important for a teen to take pictures of the accident scene as well as any vehicles that were involved in the accident.
• Exchange contact information – A teen should ask the other driver(s) for their contact information and insurance details.
• Call parents – Parents should be notified of the incident so that they can come to the scene and help determine the next steps.

Once these steps have been taken, it’s a wise idea to consult a teen driver accident lawyer. An attorney can help determine who is liable for the accident, speak to insurance companies, and help file a personal injury claim so that compensation for damages may be recovered.

Parent Liability for Teen Car Accidents

There are several ways a parent or guardian can be held financially responsible when a teen driver causes a car accident.

Ohio law makes the parent, guardian, or other adult liable for “any negligence, or willful or wanton misconduct, committed by a minor when driving a motor vehicle. That means the teen driver and their parent or guardian could share responsibility. However, if the minor has no resources of their own, the adult could end up paying for all the damages. In other situations, a teen driver could be 100% liable if they carry their own liability insurance.

Liability in a teen driver accident primarily depends on the circumstances. But generally, a parent or guardian’s car insurance policy extends to any vehicle their teen driver or anyone with permission to drive that vehicle. So, if the teen driver was using the car with permission of the parent and wasn’t excluded from coverage, a parent’s car insurance coverage will normally apply.

Legal Rights for Teenage Car Accident Victims

A teenage driver can be the victim of another driver’s negligence just like anyone else. If your child is hurt because of someone else, you may wonder if you can file an insurance claim or seek compensation on their behalf.

According to Ohio Rules for Civil Procedure 17(b), a parent or legal guardian may file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of a child. In cases where a minor has been injured by someone else, their parents often foot the bills, including medical bills.

Parents have a right to get money to cover the expenses that were caused by the at-fault party. These situations are best explained by a lawyer who can look out for your and you injured child’s interests.

Contact Our Teen Driver Accident Lawyers for Help

If your teen has been involved in an accident or you’ve been hit by a teen driver, you should contact the Ohio high school driver accident lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick. We’ll inform you of your legal options and may be able to help you collect compensation in a car accident injury lawsuit.

Contact us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW to schedule a free case consultation.