Teen Car Accidents

Getting a license is a rite of passage celebrated by many teenagers, but teen drivers often lack skill and experience in driving, and they frequently cause accidents. All drivers are expected to drive in a safe manner regardless of their age, however, and teen drivers should be held responsible for any harm that they cause. If you were hurt in a teen car accident, you should meet with a seasoned New Hampshire car accident attorney as soon as possible to examine whether you might be able to recover compensation for any injuries that you suffered. At Peter Thompson and Associates, our car accident attorneys are well versed in what it takes to win a case, and we collectively have more than 60 years of experience representing injured New Hampshire residents in their pursuit of damages in teen car accident cases. Our skilled attorneys will work diligently to help you recover any compensation that you may be owed.

In New Hampshire, drivers can be licensed when they are 16 years old if they complete an approved driver education program and have parental consent. Teen drivers lack experience and may become overwhelmed in certain situations, such as driving on unfamiliar roads or busy highways, or driving at night or in inclement weather. When a driver does not feel confident, he or she is more likely to make unsafe decisions and negligently cause an accident. Additionally, teen drivers are more likely to be distracted by technology, and they may pay attention to a social media site or text message rather than the road, thereby causing a collision.

The majority of car accident cases that arise in New Hampshire courts set forth a claim that the negligent actions of one of the drivers involved in the accident caused the accident. In New Hampshire, to prove that the negligence of a teen driver caused an accident, you must show that he or she owed you a duty of care, and he or she breached the duty. You must then show that the breach was the cause of the accident and that you suffered calculable harm due to the accident.

To refute liability, the teen driver may allege that you caused the accident and therefore should not be able to recover any damages. Under New Hampshire law, however, your recovery will only be barred if your negligence exceeded the negligence of the defendant driver. If your fault is 50 percent or less, your recovery will be reduced in proportion to the fault assessed to you. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will request evidence and information through discovery that will help show that the teen driver negligently caused the accident and should be liable for any damages that he or she caused.

Car accidents typically cause some degree of damage to the cars involved and often cause bodily injuries as well. If you were involved in a car accident with a teen driver, you can seek the costs of repairing any damage to your car. You can also pursue the cost of any medical treatment that you needed after the accident and any treatment that you may need in the future. If you could not work due to injuries caused by the accident, you may be able to recover damages for your loss of income. Additionally, you may be awarded damages for the pain and suffering that you experienced due to the accident. If you were married when the accident happened, your husband or wife may be able to pursue damages as well.

Teen drivers can be more susceptible to errors in judgment and distractions while driving, and they often cause car accidents. If you were injured in a car accident with a teen driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your harm. You should meet with a New Hampshire attorney to discuss your case and develop a strategy for pursuing damages. At Peter Thompson and Associates, our attorneys maintain a high rate of successful outcomes and favorable verdicts. Our offices are located in Bedford, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Manchester, New Hampshire, and we represent injured parties throughout New Hampshire. Contact us at 800.804.2004 or through our online form to set up a meeting.