Managing Partner
If a negligent teen driver hits your car, you may have the right to file a compensation claim with their auto insurer, which could be th. Knowing what steps to take to pursue an insurance claim can help you maximize your financial recovery.
Immediate Steps to Take
Immediately following a crash caused by a teen driver, you should contact the police department to report the accident. If an officer responds to the accident scene, remember to obtain a copy of the officer’s crash report in the days following the accident. If the police don’t respond to the accident, you should remember to exchange information with the other drivers involved in the crash. Also, remember to take photos or videos of the accident scene and vehicle damage. Finally, seek prompt medical attention to determine what injuries you may have suffered in the accident.
Notify the Insurance Company
After a car accident caused by a teen motorist, you should report the accident to your insurance company. Your insurer can provide you with a paper or electronic form to submit information about the crash, such as the date/time, location, parties involved, injuries, property damage, and a description of the accident. If you have the at-fault driver’s insurance, you can also report the crash to their insurer to ensure the company knows about the accident.
Understand Your Coverage and Liability
Review your auto insurance policy to determine whether you may have coverage under your policy, such as medical payments or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. In Georgia, all drivers must carry auto insurance that includes minimum liability coverage of:
- $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident of bodily injury coverage
- $25,000 per accident of property damage coverage
A teen driver who causes an auto accident should have auto insurance. A teen will often have coverage under their parents’ auto policy as a named driver or household member. However, if an at-fault teen driver does not have auto insurance, you may have to turn to your auto policy if you purchased optional uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Dealing with Insurance Claims
Filing an insurance claim with an at-fault teen driver’s insurance provider requires a careful approach. The insurance company will seek to minimize its liability through various tactics, such as arguing that you share some or all of the blame for the accident, minimizing your injuries, pressuring you to accept a quick settlement, or asking you to submit a written or recorded statement. You can best protect your rights and interests when dealing with a teen driver’s insurer by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer to handle your insurance claim.
Consequences of a Teen Driver Accident
A teen who causes a motor vehicle accident may face various consequences for their conduct. For example, a teen driver may also bear liability for the injuries that others suffered in the accident. Injured crash victims may have an easier time holding a teen driver liable for an accident if the teen gets convicted or adjudicated delinquent for criminal traffic offenses, such as reckless driving or driving under the influence.
A person injured by a teen driver’s negligence may have the right to recover compensation for various losses they incur, including:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses
- Long-term disability care expenses, such as home health services or disability accommodations
- Lost wages/income from missed work
- Lost future earning potential due to disabilities
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Disabilities or disfigurement/scarring
Contact a Car Accident Attorney Today to Learn More
If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a teen driver, an experienced car crash lawyer can help you navigate the insurance claims process. Contact Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn what steps you can take to pursue financial recovery in an auto insurance claim.
