When a teenage driver is involved in a car accident, parents and young drivers need to know about their legal rights. Our experienced Greenville car accident lawyer at Bobby Jones Law explains teen car accidents in Greenville, SC.
How Common Are Teenage Car Accidents in Greenville and South Carolina?
Teens ages 15-19 in South Carolina make up 5.67% of all licensed drivers. But 8.91% of all drivers involved in car accidents are teens.
In 2023, there were 16,640 traffic accidents in Greenville County. SCDPS doesn’t publish statistics on how many of these accidents involved teen drivers. But if 8.91% of all drivers in SC car accidents are teens, that would mean approximately 1,483 of Greenville’s 2023 car accidents involved teen drivers.
Source: SCDPS, Traffic Collision Fact Book, 2023.
South Carolina Teen Driving Statistics
- In 2021, teen drivers were involved in 1,519 fatal collisions in South Carolina. This figure would represent 7.1% of all fatal collisions in the state in 2023. (108 teen drivers and 1,519 drivers of all ages involved in fatal collisions.)
- Teen drivers were 7.3% of drivers involved in serious injury collisions in 2023.
- 8.65% of drivers involved in non-serious injury collisions in 2023 were teens. This translates to 5,354 teen drivers involved in 61,874 total collisions.
- According to IIHS, fatal crash rates for miles driven are the highest for drivers ages 16 and 17. The fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16 to is three times higher than for drivers over 20.
- Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of preventable death for teens in the United States.
Teen drivers include all drivers aged 19 and younger.
What Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents Among Teen Drivers in SC?
Driver error is the primary contributing factor in traffic accidents in South Carolina (80.33% in fatal collisions and 91.7% in non-fatal collisions). The leading primary contributing factors for all age groups in SC are failure to yield the right of way, driving too fast for conditions, and disregarding traffic signals. Teens may be especially at risk because of inexperience, nighttime driving, distracted driving, speeding, alcohol consumption, and drug use. These behaviors can be especially risky for teen drivers.
Who Is Legally Liable for a Teenage Car Accident in South Carolina?
A teen can be personally liable for an accident in South Carolina, but it’s usually the parents or the insurance company that pays compensation. SC law provides that a parent who signs an application for a minor’s permit or license is liable for damages. But if the minor is covered by car accident liability insurance, parents don’t share liability. When the minor has car insurance, the insurance may pay compensation up to policy limits.
Can Parents Be Held Responsible for Their Teen’s Car Accident in SC?
Parents can be responsible for a teen’s car accident in SC in several ways:
- Signing. The parent signs the teen permit or license application.
- Family purpose. Use of a family vehicle
- Insurance. An insurance policy that covers the child.
A lawyer can help you determine what type of parental responsibility may apply to a teenage driving accident in SC.
What Is the Family Purpose Doctrine and How Does It Apply in South Carolina?
The family purpose doctrine is a law that allows teenage driving accident victims to seek compensation from the parents of the teen driver. When a parent allows a teen to use a family car for a family purpose, liability may be transferred to the parents. The reasoning is that the child is doing family business, so it’s fair to hold the family accountable for the teenage driving accident.
How Does a Minor File a Personal Injury Claim After a Car Accident in SC?
Minors can also be car accident victims and can claim compensation. A parent or legal guardian brings the case on behalf of someone under age 18. If the parents don’t file, the minor has until their 19th birthday to bring their own claim. There are special procedures that apply when the plaintiff is a minor.
What Compensation Can a Teen Accident Victim Recover in Greenville?
A teen car accident victim can recover economic and non-economic compensation. Economic compensation includes medical bills, lost income, and property damage. Non-economic damages are pain and suffering, disability, anguish, and other intangible losses. When injuries are serious, the teen may benefit from a structured settlement.
What To Do Immediately After Your Teen Is Involved in a Car Accident in Greenville
If your teen is involved in a car accident in Greenville, report the accident to the police. Provide law enforcement and the other driver with license and insurance information. Have the teen take photos and video of the accident scene, unless they are physically injured. If they are injured, seek medical attention right away.
Ensure the teen is in a safe place while they wait for police. They should not admit fault or apologize.
Report the accident to the insurance company. If your teen receives a traffic ticket, review it carefully. If you choose to contest the ticket, follow the steps to challenge it. Your time to challenge a traffic ticket is limited. You may involve an attorney to represent your teen.
How Insurance Companies Handle Teen Car Accident Claims in SC And Why Families Need To Be Careful
Insurance companies may find any reason to minimize compensation, such as blaming an accident on a teen, even when the teen isn’t at fault. They scrutinize the policy to make sure the teen is covered. They may try to confuse the teen into admitting fault, even when the teen is not to blame.
Families need to be careful when handling teen car accident claims in SC. You can have a lawyer represent your family with the insurance company and in court.
Can a Teen Driver Be Sued Personally for Causing a Car Accident in South Carolina?
Yes, a teen driver can be personally sued for causing a car accident in South Carolina. The reasoning is that driving is an adult activity, so a teen who chooses to drive assumes responsibility. Practically, teens typically can’t pay. That’s why plaintiffs often look to parents and insurance policies for compensation.
Contact an Experienced Greenville Car Accident Lawyer
If your teen has been in an accident, we encourage you to contact Bobby Jones Law. A teen who is a driver, passenger, or pedestrian may qualify to receive compensation. Call or message us now.
