By Beth Minish | Associate | Marysville Office and Burlington/ Mount Vernon Office
When school lets out for summer, teen drivers hit the road in record numbers. With that seasonal freedom comes a sharp increase in collisions. Whether you’re a parent of a young driver or someone injured in a collision involving a teen, it’s important to understand the risks, responsibilities, and legal rights that come into play.
Why Are Teen Drivers More Dangerous in the Summer?
Summer break removes structure. With more time on their hands and the freedom this brings, teens are more likely to:
- Drive late at night
- Drive with multiple passengers
- Speed or drive distracted (texting, social media, etc.)
- Drive under the influence of alcohol or marijuana
These factors, combined with inexperience behind the wheel, cause the chance of serious crashes involving teen drivers to rise significantly in the summer months.
Key Statistics
- Car collisions are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.
- Teen drivers are 3 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers over 20.
- Crash risk increases dramatically with each additional teen passenger in the vehicle.
These aren’t just numbers. They’re warning signs.
Tips for Parents: Keeping Your Teen Driver Safe
- Set clear rules about passengers, curfews, phone use, and seatbelt use
- Limit nighttime driving, especially in the first year
- Consider installing a tracking app or device to monitor driving habits
- Most importantly, lead by example with safe driving behavior
Legal Liability: What Parents Should Know
Parents can be held legally and financially responsible if their teen causes a collision. If a parent knowingly allows a teen who is reckless, inexperienced, or unlicensed to drive, they can be sued for negligent entrustment if a collision occurs. Parents can also be liable for damages caused by a minor driver if the parent owns, provides, or maintains the involved vehicle for family use and the minor driver was a family member driving with permission at the time of the collision.
Teen drivers should be added to a family’s auto insurance policy. However, many families discover too late that minimum coverage limits are not enough to cover major injuries or damages. It’s worth reviewing your policy before summer starts to ensure your insurance coverage is sufficient.
What to Do If You’re Injured by a Teen Driver
If you’ve been in a collision involving a teen driver, you have the same legal rights to pursue compensation as you would with any other driver.
Steps to take:
- Call 911 and report the collision
- Get medical attention immediately
- Exchange information and take photos of the vehicles, scene, and any injuries
- Ask whether the teen is insured and under whose policy
- Contact a personal injury lawyer to help navigate potential claims against the driver and their parents
If the teen was driving under the influence, distracted, or in violation of their license restrictions (e.g., driving with too many passengers), this could strengthen your case.
Summer should be a time of fun and freedom. By taking the time to discuss expectations with your teen, you can help avoid potential tragedy. Whether you’re a parent preparing your teen for the road or someone injured in a summer crash, awareness and action are key.
Speak to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
GLP Attorneys has supported clients with their personal injury cases for over three decades. GLP Attorneys has experience achieving justice for clients who have been involved in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and trucking accidents.
If you have been injured in an accident, call 800-273-5005 or email our attorneys at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.
