While getting a driver’s license is a big deal for kids, it’s probably equally big for their parents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that young adults between the ages of 16 and 19 had the highest rate of automobile accidents of any age group. Inevitably, the first year behind the wheel is the most dangerous for an adolescent drivers due to their inexperience. And the situation is made worse by the fact that teenagers are often preoccupied with their mobile gadgets.
Before speaking with the insurance company or an insurance adjuster following your teen’s vehicle accident, you should seek the counsel of an experienced Philadelphia, PA car accident attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
No parent wants to think their adolescent will be involved in an accident, but it’s best to be ready in case it does. If you want to assist them to get ready, you may do it in a few easy ways:
Encourage them not to freak out
In the event of an accident, a teen’s natural instinct is frequently to panic. “If they find out, they’ll murder me!” Your first order of business is to help your adolescent relax and collect themselves so they can take appropriate safety precautions.
Preparation is the key.
If your adolescent drives, make sure they have an emergency kit in the car and a plan for what to do in the event of an accident. Bring along a notepad, a pen, and proof of registration and insurance. Add a first-aid child and critical contact information as well.
Make sure you’re safe before doing anything else.
If your teen is involved in an accident, remind them that their first concern should be for their own safety. What follows are some fundamental pointers you can provide them:
- Immediately dial 911 if someone has been hurt. Even if no one was hurt in the collision, you should nonetheless report it to the authorities.
- If you’ve sustained minor damage, turn on your hazard lights and slowly back out of the line of traffic. If you have to stop in the middle of the road, attempt to go as far away from the lanes of traffic as possible, preferably on the right shoulder.
Information Collection and Dissemination
Your teen’s next step, after making sure they and everyone else involved is okay, is to gather as much information as they can about the incident.