Learning to drive is considered a rite of passage for many teenagers. Most teens will turn to a local driver’s education program in order to learn how to drive.
Driving instructors are highly trained individuals who will teach teenagers about the rules that they need to follow while on the road. They will also teach new drivers how to drive safely in high-traffic areas.
Teen drivers are more likely to cause or be involved in car accidents when compared to other demographics. Here, our focus will be on who is responsible in the event that a student driver causes a car accident.
Circumstances Decide Who is Responsible
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In order to determine who is responsible for a car accident caused by a student driver’s negligence, you need to first look into the specific circumstances that led to the undesired outcome.
Every case is unique and different and should be treated as such. Depending on the unique facts of your case you may be eligible to file an auto accident injury claim against the driving school, the instructor or the teenage driver.
When is it the fault of a student driver?
A student driver may be culpable if they caused an accident due to their own negligence. A personal injury case may be filed against the student driver or the insurance policy of the student’s parents.
When is the driving instructor to blame?
The instructor is responsible for keeping the student driver calm and for keeping a lookout for obstacles and other issues on the road while the student is learning how to drive.
If the instructor fails to adhere to their responsibilities and their pupil causes an accident as a result, then the instructor may be liable for any damages incurred instead.
Is it the fault of the driving school?
It’s possible for the driving school to be held accountable if the teacher was retained, trained or hired in a negligent manner. If the school was involved in faulty recruiting processes then it may be held accountable for an accident that is caused by one of its student drivers.
Any evidence of indirect responsibility on the part of the school may also be used against it in the court of law. Furthermore, the driving school may be deemed at fault in the event that the vehicle involved in the accident was not serviced on a regular basis.
Teen Driver Crashes and Parental Liability
Virtually every city, province, and state has parental responsibility legislation. It is intended to hold parents liable in the event that their child causes property damage, injury or even death as a result of negligence, malice or ill intent.
Legal guardians and parents of minors may be held financially accountable for any losses incurred as a result of an accident that their child caused. The legal guardian or parents may need to cover all damages caused by their child’s accident, whether intentional or unintentional.
What should you do if a student driver hits you?
The first thing you should do is collect insurance information for the driving school as well as the student driver involved. You should also take several photographs of your injuries, the accident location and the vehicles involved in the accident.
Moreover, in order to avoid additional issues, you should see a doctor as soon as possible in order to evaluate your injuries, even if you are not in serious pain. Next, consult a qualified car accident attorney in order to determine who is at fault for the crash.
The lawyer will inform you of all of your legal options and responsibilities so that you will be well prepared for the arduous road ahead. It is important to perform the necessary due diligence in order to find a qualified lawyer with a proven track record of success.
Simply opting for the cheapest or most proximal attorney may backfire in the long run.
Be Prepared for Anything
Every year thousands of accidents are caused by teenage drivers due to their limited experience. In some cases, injuries are minor while in others, they can be serious or even fatal.
If you, or someone in your family, is injured due to the reckless driving of a student driver then you should seek justice against them.
The vehicle insurance policy of their parents may include liability insurance coverage that you can use in order to obtain the financial compensation that you need and deserve.
You may require several surgeries as well as months of rehabilitation and a wide array of medications in order to fully recuperate from your injuries, so obtaining restitution is only fair.
In the event that you are injured in a car accident, it is best to be prepared for anything so that you can quickly obtain the help that you need and deserve.
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