Virginia Beach Teen Driving Accident Attorney
Virginia auto accident lawyers pursue full compensation for injuries caused by inexperienced drivers
We all have some level of tolerance for youthful indiscretions, but it must come to an end when a teen takes the wheel of a motor vehicle. A teen driver undertakes an awesome responsibility, the violation of which can cause serious injury and destruction of property. They, and their parents, must be ready to assume liability for any harm that results from their negligence. If you’ve been hurt in a traffic accident caused by a youthful driver, Ernest Law Group, PLC is prepared to help. Our Virginia Beach teen driving accident lawyers have the skill and experience to pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Virginia’s minimum age for driver’s licenses
Virginia law places strict limitations on teen drivers. A person must be at least 15 years 6 months old to apply for a driving permit, which allows them to drive with a licensed driver seated beside them. Permit holders with a Virginia Driver Training Certificate may drive without a licensed driver present if they are at least 16 years 3 months old and have held the permit for nine months.
Drivers under age 18 may become fully licensed after nine months of holding a permit, upon completion of various requirements. However, they still face restrictions until age 18, including:
- A curfew from midnight to 4 a.m. with few exceptions
- A limit of one nonfamily passenger under age 21, unless accompanied by a licensed parent/adult in the front passenger seat.
Youthful drivers licensed for one year may carry up to three passengers who are under age 21 in limited situations.
Drivers under the age of 21 face zero-tolerance standards for drunk driving, which means that even a reading of 0.02 percent blood alcohol content can result in a DUI conviction.
Why are teen driving accidents so common?
Science has shown that teenagers are naturally less responsible than adults because their prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that governs decision making, is not fully developed. Other factors that contribute to teen driver accidents include:
- Inexperience and lack of skill
- Distractions from peer passengers
- Unfamiliarity with driving at night or in inclement weather conditions
- Greater emotionality, including nervousness
- Lack of attention and vulnerability to distractions
- Poor impulse control
- Nervousness
- Unfamiliarity with roadways
It takes several years to become a skilled driver and many teens lack the patience to drive with extreme caution until their skills develop.
Proving liability following teen driver car accidents
Everyone who operates a vehicle has a duty to drive with care. Drivers who are careless or reckless breach that duty. When their lack of due care causes an accident, they are liable, i.e., legally responsible, for all injuries.
Damages typically awarded for teen driving accidents in Virginia
There is no limitation to the damages an injured party can collect from a teen driver. Personal injury damages can include compensation for:
- Lost income and/or earning power
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Property damage or loss
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring or other disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Alterations to make a home handicap-accessible
In fatal accident cases, a personal representative of the decedent’s estate can file a wrongful death claim to recover damages for:
- Loss of income and/or household services
- Medical costs prior to death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of comfort, guidance, companionship, society, and advice
- Sorrow and mental anguish
As your legal advocates, we are determined to recover the maximum amount of damages possible under the facts of your case.
Contact a knowledgeable Virginia attorney for a teen driver accident consultation
Ernest Law Group, PLC represents clients throughout the Hampton Roads area who have been injured by teenaged drivers. Please call 757-289-2499 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Virginia Beach office.
