People as young as 15 and a half years old are legally allowed to obtain learner’s permits and drive on public roads with adult supervision, and teens as young as 16 can get “graduated” (G) licenses which allow them to drive on their own with relatively few restrictions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, young drivers around these ages are especially likely to cause car crashes compared to adult drivers, due to both their lack of experience and the increased likelihood that they will act irresponsibly behind the wheel.
The idea of filing a lawsuit against a teenager after a serious traffic accident may understandably seem less than appealing, especially if you have sustained substantial losses that a young person likely does not have the personal assets or insurance to pay for. Fortunately, you likely have other options for recovery following a teen driving accident in Tempe which a car accident attorney from Phillips Law Group can help you take full advantage of.
Whether they have a learner’s permit or a G license, a teen who drives on public roads assumes the exact same “duty of care” that all other drivers have, which means they have a legally enforceable obligation to follow traffic laws, watch out for other vehicles and people, and react rationally to anything they encounter while driving. Anyone who causes a wreck resulting in injury by “breaching” this duty is legally “negligent” and can be held liable for ensuing damages, regardless of their age or amount of driving experience.
In practice, however, it is generally far more practical to seek civil restitution after a teen driving accident in Tempe from the teen driver’s parent or guardian, or from the person who owned the vehicle the teen was driving and knowingly allowed them to drive it. In fact, under Arizona law, all parents who allow their teenage children to drive vehicles they — the parents — own must purchase an additional $100,000 of liability insurance coverage per person and $300,000 per accident to cover property damage and injuries their child causes while driving.
Through a combination of insurance claims and, if necessary, civil litigation, it is possible to recover financially after a teen driving accident in Tempe for both economic and non-economic repercussions of that accident, including:
Even if a wreck results in a permanent and debilitating injury, though, Arizona Revised Statutes §12-542 generally gives injured people a maximum of two years after the incident occurred to file suit over it.
The fact that teenage drivers are still learning how to act safely and responsibly on the road does not make them — and certainly not their parents or guardians — immune from being held liable for the consequences of a crash they cause. That said, these types of civil claims can be uniquely complex in numerous ways, and support from a seasoned attorney is key not only to getting the best possible result but often to getting any restitution at all.
Phillips Law Group has been helping families around the Tempe area for over 30 years and is not afraid to litigate your case if necessary to get you paid fairly for your damages. Call today to discuss your options after a teen driving accident in Tempe and learn exactly why “you need a Phillips” in a situation like this. Our consultations are free, and you are under no obligation to work with us after your first meeting. Contact our experienced legal team to learn more today!
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