Things to do if your teenager is in a car accident include ensuring that they and other people involved are as safe as possible and getting medical attention. Encourage your teen to gather evidence at the accident scene, notify your insurance company, and consider getting advice from a Salt Lake City teen driving accident lawyer.
Help your teen process what occurred. They will be in shock and may be severely traumatized. If they caused the accident, consider whether you should suspend driving privileges or cancel the liability you assume when signing for their driver’s license.
Ensuring Safety and Getting Medical Attention
If you are on the scene, take control of the situation. However, if you are not, and your teen has called you, go through the following checklist to ensure they have complied with all the necessary basics to keep everyone safe.
- Ask them if they have moved the car to a safe place near the accident, but off the road.
- Check that they have activated hazard lights.
- Ask them whether someone has called 911, and instruct them to make the call if they are unsure.
- Urge them to avoid getting into arguments with other drivers.
If it sounds like a relatively minor accident, it is still best to call the police. The accident report may prove important when it is time to deal with insurance claims, either yours or another driver’s. If someone has been hurt, calling 911 is crucial. Your teen should also be examined by a doctor as soon as possible after the accident, even if they seem unhurt.
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Gathering Evidence at the Accident Scene
The police will gather evidence, but it is always possible that they may miss something that could work in your favor. If your teen is able to do so, they should take pictures or video footage. Damage to vehicles, the position of vehicles, road signs, and skid marks on the road can be important in later investigations. In addition, your teen should:
- Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers involved in the accident.
- Get the names and contact details of any witnesses.
- Record the time and place, as well as weather and road conditions.
- Get the name and badge numbers of police attending the scene and request a police report.
Your teenage child may not be processing instructions well at this point. If you can reach the accident scene to support them, do so. You may have to double-check that all the necessary accident scene tasks are attended to and address any gaps yourself.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You probably know that notifying your insurance company is among the things to do if your teenager is in a car accident. Your no-fault injury insurance, a requirement in Utah Code Section 31A-22-304, should cover damages in most auto accidents. Property damage is settled on an at-fault basis. Fault can still be important in serious accidents, so do not enter into discussions. Provide the following basics:
- Your policy number.
- Date, time, and location of accident.
- If available, the police report number
Do not speculate on fault, agree to a recorded statement, or provide any extra details. For now, the only thing that matters is that you report the accident. As long as you make a provision for your teen to be included in your insurance policy, you should be able to claim it later.
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Understand That You May Be Held Liable If Your Teen Was Sufficiently at Fault
An understanding of Utah’s no-fault insurance coverage is important. It may mean that fault for injuries is not considered. If your teen was involved in a serious accident, fault may mean you will be liable if they were to blame. You are also responsible for property damage on an at-fault basis. You automatically accept this liability when you sign a minor’s driver’s licence application.
Under Utah Code 78B-5-818, a defendant is liable for their percentage of fault, and this represents the degree to which you are liable, even though your teenager was driving at the time. However, this rule does not apply if your teenager was 50% or less at fault.
If your teen was less than 50% at fault, you are not only not liable, but may be able to claim compensation from another driver. As a result, consulting a lawyer can be among the things to do if your teenager was in a car accident.
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How to Know Whether You Should Consult a Car Accident Attorney
You may not need to consult an attorney. For instance, if your teenager was involved in a minor fender-bender in which nobody was seriously injured, insurance claims should cover everybody’s damages. Not all accidents are that simple. Consult a Utah car accident lawyer if:
- People have been seriously injured.
- You are being held liable, but you feel this should be disputed.
- An insurance company denies your claim for no reason you can understand.
- Someone else is threatening to sue you.
Your attorney can investigate the facts, advise you as to liability, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you if the matter ends in a lawsuit. They will be able to help you shape your expectations. A good lawyer can identify cases they can win and will protect your rights.
Help Your Teen Process What Has Occurred
For most teens, even negligent ones, being in a car accident is a far worse price to pay than any punishment you can exact. Although you may have to consider revoking driving privileges if you think your teen is not yet ready to drive responsibly, you should help them.
- Allow them to discuss their feelings in a calm environment.
- Discuss what happened and what they should learn from it.
- Talk about ways you can help them improve their driving skills.
- If you think you should revoke driving privileges, explain why and show them how to prove they are ready to drive again.
- If your teen shows signs of severe emotional trauma, consider taking them for professional counseling.
Teens are not always reckless or negligent. Their lack of driving skills may be part of the reason they reacted poorly in an emergency. A defensive driving course can help them become safer drivers. If they have developed a long-term fear of driving, it can help build their confidence.
Know What to Do if Your Teenager Is in a Car Accident, And Get Professional Help If Needed
As a parent whose teenage child has been involved in a car accident, you have a lot on your plate. Apart from the emotional challenges you face, you must provide guidance, and you may encounter legal difficulties.
At Siegfried & Jensen, our lawyers understand both the legal and human perspectives, and we may be able to provide guidance and support. From liability disputes to compensation that may be due if your teenager was injured, we will assess your case for free. Contact us to secure your appointment.
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