Teen drivers are at a higher risk of causing car crashes due to several factors. They include inexperience, risk-taking behaviors, peer pressure, distractions and a limited understanding of vehicle mechanics.
When a teen driver causes a collision resulting in severe injuries, determining responsibility for compensation can be complex.
1. Teen driver
In Pennsylvania, people who cause accidents due to negligence are responsible for the resulting damages. If a teen driver’s negligent actions lead to severe injuries, the driver may be liable for compensating the injured party.
2. Insurance
In most cases, the teen driver’s insurance coverage will be the primary source of compensation for personal injuries. Pennsylvania law requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage.
3. Parents
In some situations, parents of teen drivers may also be responsible. Pennsylvania follows the legal doctrine of “vicarious liability.” It holds parents responsible for the actions of their minor children in certain circumstances. For example, if parents were negligent in supervising their teen’s driving activities or knowingly allowed their teen to drive recklessly, they may be liable for the resulting damages.
4. Manufacturer
Manufacturing defects, design flaws or inadequate maintenance can all contribute to crashes. If a vehicle defect or malfunction played a role in an accident, the manufacturer or party responsible for maintaining the vehicle may be liable for resulting damages.
5. Government or contractor
Poor road conditions, such as potholes, uneven surfaces or lack of proper signage, can also contribute to accidents. In such cases, liability may also fall on the entity responsible for maintaining the road, such as the local government or a private contractor hired for road maintenance.
6. Other negligent parties
In some instances, accidents involve negligent actions of other parties on the road, such as reckless drivers, intoxicated drivers or pedestrians who fail to follow traffic laws. If another party’s negligence contributes to an accident, they may liable for the resulting damages in addition to the teen driver.
7. Injured party
Comparative negligence means that if the injured party contributed to the accident in any way, their compensation may decrease based on their percentage of fault. For example, if the injured party is 20% at fault for the accident, their compensation would go down by 20%.
When a teen driver causes severe injuries in Pennsylvania, responsibility for personal injury compensation typically falls on the teen driver’s insurance coverage. However, each situation is unique.
