Car Accident Deaths Among Teens Highest in Summer

According to a recent report done by the National Safety Council, more teens are killed in a car accident in roughly a 100-day summer period that stretches through Labor Day than any other time in the year. In fact, in 2012, nearly 1,000 people in the U.S. died in motor vehicle crashes involving a teen driver during this time period. From the years 2004 to 2013, there were 1,586 fatal accidents in Michigan involving drivers sixteen to twenty years old.

The National Safety Council attributes this rising car accident death rate to be attributed to multiple reasons. These reasons include:

• During the summer months teens typically carry more passenger friends in their vehicle causing much more distraction and a higher risk of being involved in a crash.
• Social Acceptance – Teens automatically have a desire to be accepted. Due to this psychological-social aspect, teens may drive how their passengers want them to drive, which may not necessarily be the safest way to drive.
• During the summer months teens typically are out on the roads later at night due to no school. At night crash risk is higher, however for teens it is especially higher due to the fact that they limited visibility and often driver fatigue.

Although the death rate among teens is highest during the summer, some good news is that statistics do show that ultimately the overall number of fatalities in the last decade involving teen drivers has decreased.

Graduated teen licensing programs may have helped the situation as it does put limits on what hours teens can drive and how many passenger they can have in their car for example.

No matter what the cause of the accident may be, victims injured in a Michigan car accident do have legal rights. If you or someone you care about was injured or killed due to the negligence of another driver, call our top rated law firm today at(248) 793-2010 to discuss your case. We understand this may be a difficult time for you. Our Detroit auto accident attorneys will take the time to explain your legal rights, answer any questions that you may have and walk you through the entire legal process.