Several young motorists were seriously injured in a New York car accident, including one fatal injury, following a late-night collision over the weekend. Police are still investigating the accident, which occurred around 2am on Sunday, February 22nd. According to official reports, six young people were in a 1997 Geo Prism that collided with a tractor trailer after the car failed to stop at a stop sign.
An 18-year-old passenger was killed in the crash, while 4 others, including the driver of the car, were treated and released from a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police say that all the passengers in the car at the time were between the ages of 18 and 21. Reports also indicated that three of the passengers were thrown from the car during the collision, indicating that they may not have been wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. The tractor trailer driver was not hurt in the accident.
While Police have not officially charged the young driver with DWI or announced that alcohol was a factor in the crash, this accident is an example of reckless behavior by a young driver. Even if there was no alcohol involved in the crash, there were still six young people between the ages of 18 and 21 packed into a compact car, and that’s a dangerous choice on the part of the young adults. In addition, by ignoring the posted stop sign, the young driver demonstrated irresponsible and reckless behavior that put herself, her fellow passengers, and other motorists at risk.
Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers. Young and inexperienced drivers face many challenges on the roads, which is why it is so crucial for parents to talk to their children at a young age about making responsible decisions behind the wheel. Here are a few basic safety precautions that can help young drivers arrive at their destinations safely:
Always Wear Your Seatbelt: In 2012, 57% of teenagers killed in car accidents were not wearing a seatbelt. Among drivers aged 50 to 59, this rate was only 32%. Seatbelts save lives, and the earlier young drivers get this message, the safer they will be in the event of an accident.
Shut Off Your Phone: Parents know that getting their teenager to shut their phone off in any setting can be a challenge. Behind the wheel, however, it could be a matter of life and death. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Inattention or Distraction” accounted for over 19% of total vehicle accidents statewide in 2013. Texting or making phone calls is one of the most dangerous and widespread aspects of distracted driving, so talk to your teenager and remind them to keep their phone safely out of reach until they arrive at their destination.
Obey the Speed Limit: Unsafe speed contributed to over 28,000 traffic collisions in New York in 2013. Remind your young driver that speed limits are posted for a reason. Besides the possibilities of large fines and severe penalties for young motorists driving at high speeds, reckless driving can also have far more deadly consequences.
Never Drink and Drive!: This rule applies to all drivers equally, but it is never too early to instill the proper habits in young motorists. Talk to your children about the dangers of drinking and driving and help us put an end to this reckless and selfish practice once and for all.
With the help of parents, State Officials, as well as the Rockland County and greater New York communities, we can help instill the proper driving habits in a new generation of motorists. Talk to your children before they receive their driver’s license, and help us make sure that all drivers arrive at their destinations safely.
At Fellows Hymowitz Rice, New York and New Jersey Personal Injury law firm, we know that accidents can happen even when all proper precautions are taken. If you or a loved one has been injured by a reckless, negligent, distracted or intoxicated driver, you will need an experienced legal team on your side that is not afraid to stand up for your rights.
Call Fellows Hymowitz Rice at 845-639-9300 to speak with an experienced New York and New Jersey Auto Accident attorney for FREE. Our legal team will help you understand the details of your case, and will work with you to determine the best course of action.
We are New York and New Jersey accident lawyers who are here to protect your rights to the fullest. We will advocate for you, protect your rights, hold wrongdoers accountable and fight to achieve the maximum compensation for your serious injuries.
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