Inexperience increases the risk of car crashes. Because of this, wrecks involving teens are common. Teen driving accidents in Richmond Hill can cause serious injuries, but getting compensation can be challenging because teens usually have minimal financial resources and are less likely to own their vehicles.
Fortunately, the teen’s parents or insurance company usually cover your costs. A seasoned auto collision attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call Chattahoochee Injury Law today to speak with a member of our legal team.
Georgia courts usually consider parents legally responsible if their teen causes an accident in the family car. For this to happen, the parents need to own the vehicle and make it available for the teen to use, and the teen needs to be considered a member of the household.
For example, a 17-year-old high school student fully supported by their parents would qualify as a household member. A 19-year-old who is financially independent and lives in their own apartment but happened to be borrowing a parent’s car usually would not.
If teens own a vehicle, they are responsible for any collisions they cause. Georgia drivers must have a minimum of $25,000 in property damage coverage, $25,000 per person, and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage. Since Georgia uses an at-fault insurance system, the teen driver’s insurance would cover the injured person’s expenses up to these limits.
Medical bills, especially if the injured person requires a hospital visit, can easily exceed these limits. Teen drivers may be more likely to opt for state minimum coverage, but insurance should cover some expenses. Our Richmond Hill lawyers can help calculate your damages in a teen driving crash and pursue fair compensation.
Because Georgia is an at-fault state, responsibility needs to be assigned whether the injured person files an insurance claim or a lawsuit. Courts and insurance companies will review the details of the accident to determine who was negligent.
Negligence can include breaking a traffic law or looking away from the road because of a cell phone or other distractions. If the teen driver was distracted and the other driver did not do anything illegal or unsafe, the teen would be fully liable for the crash.
Sometimes, both parties share responsibility for a wreck. For example, if one driver was speeding and the other was texting, both could be partially at fault. In these cases, Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence rule. A court or insurance company assigns a percentage of responsibility to each driver.
If an injured person is more than 50 percent responsible, they cannot receive compensation. If they are partially liable, their compensation would be reduced accordingly. For example, if a driver were considered 20 percent responsible and had $50,000 in damages, they would receive $40,000. An experienced Chattahoochee Injury Law attorney in Richmond Hill can review your teen driving accident case and help determine fault.
If the responsible driver in a car accident does not own their vehicle, getting compensation can be more complicated. Teen driving accidents in Richmond Hill often fall into this category.
When a teen driver has injured you, our compassionate legal team can help. Our reliable personal injury attorneys will give you the honest advice and support you need so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact Chattahoochee Injury Law to discuss your case today.
