According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15-20 year olds, and that each year almost 2,500 teens are killed, and about 285,000 others are treated for injuries they suffered in a motor vehicle crash. That means that almost every day 7 teens die due to motor vehicle crashes, and hundreds more injured, with the deadliest time of year being the summer months, beginning with prom and graduation season.
If you’re the parent or guardian of a teen driver, it’s important that your teen knows what to do in the unfortunate event that an accident does occur. Below are 5 steps your teen should take after an accident.
1. Remain Calm
Car accidents can be very stressful for anyone, but this is especially true for inexperienced teen drivers. Make sure your teen knows the importance of remaining calm after a crash, for both him/herself and for any passengers that may also be in the car. Remaining calm can help alleviate any further harm from occurring.
2. Check for injuries
Before anything else, it’s important to know if anyone in the car is injured. In some cases, an injury could make moving the vehicle more dangerous to the injured person. Make sure your teen is aware of this before taking any further steps.
3. Move the Vehicle to Safety
After assessing any injuries, and only after determining that it is safe to do so, the vehicle should be moved off of any roadway to a safe location. This will prevent any further accidents from occurring.
4. Call 911
Once the safety of all passengers and the vehicle are ensured, your teen should immediately call 911. This is true even if the accident does not initially appear very serious. In many cases, injuries and symptoms can appear hours or days after an accident. By reporting the crash, there will be proper documentation of it in the event an injury claim is required.
5. Call a parent or guardian
Although this may seem self-explanatory, it is also important that your teen (and all others in the vehicle) contact their parent or guardian to advise them of the accident. An adult can then help the teen with any additional issues, whether they be medical related issues, or issues involving towing or insurance.
Get the Help and Guidance You Need After Your Florida Personal Injury Accident
When you’ve been injured in an accident, it is also important that you consult with a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. The attorneys at SouthShore Injury Attorneys have extensive litigation experience and handle only personal injury claims. If you’ve suffered injuries in a Florida car accident, contact SouthShore Injury Attorneys at 813-797-5998 for a free consultation.
Free Information
If you have questions about your Florida accident case, you can download our Free Reports:
- What You Must Know if You Were in a Car Accident;
- The Ultimate Guide to Florida Slip and Fall Cases; and
- 5 Medical Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Personal Injury Case
which are available at our website, or you can click the link provided. You can also contact us at 813-797-5998 to talk directly to an Apollo Beach Personal Injury attorney now.