What do I do if My Teen Driver Gets Into a Car Accident? 

A car accident involving your teen can be stressful for both of you. Teen drivers may not know what to say, what information to collect, or how to protect themselves after a crash.

After an accident, your teen should focus on safety, reporting the crash, getting medical care, and avoiding statements that could affect an insurance claim. Parents can help by saving records and speaking with an attorney before giving detailed statements to insurance companies.

If your teen was injured in a car accident, Cellino Law can help you understand your legal options. Call 888-888-8888 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.

Main Takeaways About Teen Driver Accidents

• Teen drivers may be more likely to crash because they have less driving experience.
• Your teen should call the police, exchange information, document the scene, and seek medical attention.
• Your teen should avoid admitting fault after the crash, as that could compromise their claim.
• New York has special rules for junior drivers, including limits on nighttime driving, passengers under age 21, and where a teen can drive.
• Parents can help by saving records and contacting an attorney if injuries are involved.

Why Teen Driver Accidents Happen

Teen driver accidents happen because they are still learning how to react to traffic, weather, distractions, and sudden changes on the road. Common causes of teen driver accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Following too closely
• Unsafe turns
• Failure to yield
• Driving with too many passengers
• Nighttime driving
• Inexperience in traffic or poor weather

Some crashes are caused by another driver. In those cases, your teen may be injured even if they did nothing wrong. Either way, what happens immediately after the crash can affect their health, insurance claim, and legal rights.

What Should Your Teen Do Right After a Car Accident?

Immediately after the accident happens, your teen should know what steps to take. These can help to ensure that their rights are protected.

1. Check for injuries and call 911

Your teen should first check whether anyone is hurt. If someone is injured, they should call 911 and ask for medical help.

Even if the crash seems minor, they should still call the police to file an official report. A police report can create a third party record of what happened, and can be used in determining liability.

2. Move to a safe place

If the vehicle can be moved safely, your teen should get out of traffic and turn on the hazard lights. If the vehicle cannot be moved, they should wait for emergency responders.

They should not leave the scene until the police say they can go.

3. Exchange information

If the other driver is present and able, your teen should exchange information with the other driver, including:

• Name
• Phone number
• Driver’s license information
• Insurance information
• License plate number
• Vehicle make, model, and color

These details can be passed to the insurance company if they need to file a claim. They should also keep conversation with the other parties involved brief and factual.

4. Do not admit fault

After an accident, it’s human nature to want to apologize to diffuse the situation, especially one as stressful as a car accident. However, your teen should avoid saying anything that sounds like admitting fault, including:

• “I’m sorry.”
• “I didn’t see you.”
• “It was my fault.”
• “I should have stopped sooner.”

Even if the admittance was polite, saying this at the scene or to an adjuster can diminish the value of a claim.

5. Take photos and videos

If your teen can do so safely, they should use their cellphone take photos and videos of:

• Vehicle damage
• The accident scene
• Skid marks or debris
• Traffic lights and signs
• Road and weather conditions
• Visible injuries
• Insurance cards and license plates

Detailed photo and video evidence  can be important if there is a dispute about how the accident happened, the conditions, or the damages.

6. Get witness information

If there were witnesses to the crash, your teen should ask for their names and contact information. Eye witnesses can be vital in corroborating how an accident really happened. If there are any storefronts or buildings nearby with security footage, you or your teen should identify them to request crash footage later.

7. Seek medical attention

Your teen should be checked by a doctor after the crash. Some injuries may not feel serious right away, but can worsen over time if not treated properly.

Medical care can also create records that connect the injuries to the accident. These records may be important if your teen files an injury claim.

What Should Parents Do After a Teen Driver Accident?

Parents can help their teen with their accident claim by keeping the process organized. After the crash, try to gather and save:

• The police report number
• Photos and videos from the scene
• Insurance information
• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Repair estimates
• Tow receipts
• Notes about missed school, work, or activities

You should also notify your insurance company. If the accident involved an injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage, a motorist crash report may need to be filed.

Be careful with recorded statements, especially if another insurance company contacts your teen. Before accepting a settlement, it may help to speak with a car accident attorney.

New York Laws for Teen Drivers

New York has graduated driver licensing rules for drivers under 18. This means teen drivers move through stages before receiving full driving privileges. The goal is to give young drivers time to gain experience while limiting some higher-risk situations.

A teen’s driving privileges can also depend on where they are driving. New York separates junior driver rules by region, including Upstate New York, New York City, and Long Island.

New York junior drivers may face restrictions involving:

• Nighttime driving: Teen drivers may have limits on when they can drive, especially later at night when crash risks can increase.
• Driving in New York City: Rules may be stricter in the five boroughs because of heavier traffic and more complex driving conditions.
• Driving on Long Island: Nassau and Suffolk Counties have their own junior driver restrictions that parents should review.
• Passengers under age 21: In many situations, a junior driver may have no more than one passenger under age 21 unless the passengers are immediate family members or a qualifying supervising driver is present.
• Supervising drivers: Some teen drivers must drive with a licensed parent, guardian, driving instructor, or another qualifying adult depending on their permit, license, location, and time of day.
• Seat belt use: Everyone in the vehicle should be properly restrained, with one seat belt per person.

Because these rules can depend on the teen’s age, license type, location, and time of day, parents should review the current requirements that apply to their teen.

Can a Teen Driver Be Liable for a Car Accident?

A teen driver can be found responsible for a crash if their actions or negligence behind the wheel caused the accident. These actions may involve speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, or another traffic violation.

If your teen was injured because another driver caused the crash, your teen may have the right to pursue compensation. Depending on the accident, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Property damage

Speaking to an attorney can help you and your teen better understand what options may be available after a car accident, even if your teen was partially responsible. 

FAQs

What should my teen do first after a car accident?

Your teen should check for injuries, call 911, report the crash to the police, and move to a safe place if possible.

Should my teen apologize after a crash?

Your teen should avoid admitting fault. They can check on others and cooperate with police without saying the accident was their fault.

Talk To A Car Accident Lawyer At Cellino Law

An accident involving a teen driver can raise many questions as a parent. You may be unsure who was at fault, what insurance covers, whether your teen’s injuries are serious, or what to say to the insurance company.

The attorneys at Cellino Law can review the accident, explain your teen’s legal options, and handle communication with the insurance company on your behalf. There is no fee unless we win your case.

If your teen was injured in a car accident, call 888-888-8888 or contact Cellino Law online today for a free case evaluation.