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Fox 5 San Diego (3/16/2015) reported that an 18-year-old man was killed following a rollover crash that occurred on I-5 in Encinitas. The teen driver lost control of his 1992 Nissan truck after applying hard brakes, causing the vehicle to careen off the roadway and into a dirt embankment where it rolled over several times.
The vehicle struck a light pole that toppled over and landed onto another service truck traveling on the freeway. The accident occurred near Leucadia Boulevard in the early morning hours, around 3:10 a.m. according to reports.
Although medics arrived at the scene of the accident, the young man was tragically unable to overcome his catastrophic injury and he later died at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.
The service truck driver was treated for injuries.
Officials are currently investigating the accident. It is unclear whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.
Teen drivers are, needless to say, new drivers. With age and inexperience, the risk of car accidents is very high.
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2,650 teenagers ages 16-19 in the U.S. were killed in an accident in 2011. Nearly 292,000 more teens were treated for injuries that occurred as a result of vehicle crashes.
Teens between the ages of 16 to 19 are also riskiest age group when it comes to motor vehicle accidents, according to the CDC.
Fortunately, teen accidents are preventable. Teenage drivers can take action to ensure their safety is the number one priority. So, what can be done to prevent teen car accidents?
Texting and driving and any other use of the cell phone while behind the wheel are both highly dangerous. When coupled with inexperience, the results can be even more disastrous. Use an anti-texting app that uses motion to disable incoming messages. Or, simply lock your phone in your trunk when you’re driving to ensure the distraction is completely eliminated.
Whatever you do, please don’t drink and drive. According to 2012 CDC data, 23 percent of drivers aged 15 to 20 involved in fatal car crashes were drinking. If you’re a teen driver reading this right now, we urge you to please consider your life. Your life is significantly at risk when you drink and drive. And, you put others’ lives at risk, too. Be responsible. Don’t drink if you’re under 21. If you’re in a tricky situation and you need help, have a taxi cab on speed dial. Or, work out an agreement with your parents where you can safely call for a ride if you have had something to drink. If you’re a parent, considering making a contract with your child that allows them to call you with minor consequence in the event they need a ride home.
Seatbelts clearly save lives. Please make sure you use your seatbelt every time you get behind the wheel. It’s just common sense.
Night driving is inherently more dangerous. Limited visibility, sleepiness and even exhaustion can all mount into a risky situation on the road. Limit driving to daytime hours, if possible. Some license requirements may also restrict allowed driving times. For instance, drivers may not drive between the hours of 11PM – 5AM (unless exempt) until their 18TH birthday, according to the DMV. More information on teen driving restrictions can be found here.
Sometimes, no matter how careful you may be, car accidents happen. If you’re an injured teen driver and you suspect the other person is at fault following an accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Teens under the age of 18 should have parents call us at 1-858-551-2090 for a FREE consultation. No matter what your age, we will represent your case without any out-of-pocket costs. We only collect when we win your case. Call us today and hire San Diego’s most trusted car accident law firm. Call now.
SENIOR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY & FIRM FOUNDER
Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who graduated from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in 1987. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes how insurance companies work and how they decide how much to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael’s inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents. Learn more about Michael Pines