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Preventing teen car accident deaths

On Behalf of | Jul 1, 2015 | Car Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes are a big problem for teenagers in New Jersey. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S., and around 2,650 people between the ages of 16 and 19 died in a motor vehicle accident in 2011. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with simple safety measures.

The use of seat belts is a simple way to prevent car accident injuries and fatalities among teenagers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, research indicates that proper seat belt use can reduce crash-related deaths by 50 percent. In 2012, 55 percent of the teenagers who were killed in a car accident had no seat belt on when the accident took place.

The CDC also believes that mandatory graduated licensing laws help prevent fatal car accidents among teen drivers. The laws, versions of which are now in place in every state and in the District of Columbia, set limits on young beginning drivers that are gradually lifted as the teens get older. According to research, these programs have been shown to reduce car accidents involving 16-year-old drivers to a significant extent. Another safety precaution that can help to reduce teen car accident deaths is enforcement of the minimum legal drinking age and zero blood alcohol content laws for underage drivers.

A person who has been injured in a car crash involving a teen driver can pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Because this process can be daunting for people who are recovering from serious injuries, many car accident victims seek help from an attorney.

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