Students across the United States are preparing for their summer break, with most already enjoying it. The summer months are known for the enjoyable weather and a time to travel. While these months experience more roadway traffic due to residents and tourists traveling, there is also an uptick in traffic due to teenage drivers having time to spare.
The mix of increased traffic due to travel and teenage drivers with unstructured time creates a situation where collisions are more likely. This is why the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day has garnered the title of “100 Deadliest Days.” Historically, this is the time when fatal car accidents involving teen drivers experiences an uptick.
100 deadliest days
Based on current data, automobile crashes are one of the leading causes of death for a U.S. teenager between the ages of 16 and 19. A significant portion of these deadly accidents occur during these 100 deadliest days. Current statistics found that nearly half of the total fatalities involving teen drivers occur during the summer months.
While inexperience and extra time on hand contributes to the influx in fatal crashes, other factors play a role. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highlighted certain statistics from 2022. They found that 22% of fatal crashes of drivers aged 15 to 18 involved alcohol. With regards to fatal teen crashes that year, roughly 50% of them involved a driver that was not wearing a seatbelt. It was also found that in 30% of all fatal crashes involving a teen driver, the crash was speed related.
Wrongful death action
Losing a loved one in an automobile crash is a difficult event to cope with. This is especially true if you lost a loved one in their teens. Understanding the cause of the accident can help establish liability. Thus, if you believe a negligent driver is responsible for the accident, it is important to understand your legal options.
A wrongful death action could help hold a negligent driver liable for the accident. This could help with the recovery of compensation, which could go to the losses and damages suffered as a result of the deadly crash.