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Study: teens driving at night pose increased danger

On Behalf of | Aug 11, 2016 | Car Accidents |

On behalf of Bremseth Law Firm PC posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, August 11, 2016.

When Minnesota residents think of possible dangers they may encounter while driving on the road, many would point to the treacherous driving conditions that can occur in the middle of winter, distracted driving, the fast pace of traffic on busy highways or other similar circumstances. While each of these can certainly present some trouble, there are other dangers that may be less known.

For instance, a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed the dangers presented by teenagers who are driving unsupervised at night. While it may be known that car accidents kill more teenagers than other causes, it is less well known how dangerous it is for teens to drive at night.

According to the study, about a third of fatal car crashes happen at night, despite the fact that most of the driving by teens occurs during the daytime. About 57 percent of the collisions occurred before midnight. While many jurisdictions restrict nighttime driving for teens after midnight or later, the study’s authors suggested bumping up those restrictions to start at an earlier hour.

The increased number of crashes involving teens driving at night can cause serious injuries to others on the road. Even if a person is exercising as much caution as possible, another driver can strike their vehicle, with little to no warning.

When Minnesota residents are injured by teenagers, or any other driver, whether during the day or night, the injured person may have a cause of action they can bring based on the car collision. A key issue in the case will focus on the other driver’s failure to follow the standard of care that person was bound to follow. By demonstrating this deviation from the standard of care, injured persons can obtain an award of damages to provide the legal relief they need.