How distraction, speed, and inexperience combine to put teens and others at risk of getting injured in a car accident
Most teen drivers mean well, but they’re still learning how to drive a car safely. And sadly, when they make mistakes behind the wheel, the consequences can be devastating – or sometimes even deadly – for everyone on the road.
Teen-related car accidents are alarmingly common throughout Indiana. According to the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, drivers under age 20 in Indiana caused 38,245 crashes in 2023, resulting in more than 5,000 injuries and dozens of lives lost. These aren’t just numbers—they’re real consequences. Understanding what drives these wrecks is the first step toward protecting your rights and recovering compensation in the event of a serious or fatal car accident.
If you were hurt in a crash caused by a teen driver, or if your teen was injured in a collision caused by someone else, an experienced Indiana car accident lawyer at Glaser & Ebbs can help you navigate the legal process of recovering compensation for your losses. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers and what causes these crashes in the first place.
Why do so many Indiana crashes involve teen drivers?
Teen drivers crash more often because they’re new to driving and may not be fully prepared for what the road throws at them. They’re also more likely to take risks, give in to distractions, or freeze in a high-pressure moment. Here’s a breakdown of the most common risk factors:
- Inexperience: Teens don’t have the same instincts as seasoned drivers. Many crashes occur simply because drivers fail to react quickly enough to avoid danger.
- Distraction: Talking to passengers, texting, or checking social media can all pull a teen’s attention away from the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distraction is a factor in at least 9 percent of fatal teen crashes nationwide.
- Passengers: The risk of a crash doubles when a teen drives with one peer passenger and quadruples when there are three or more, according to an NHTSA study on teen driving.
- Speeding: Many young drivers underestimate how fast they’re going or how long it takes to stop. National data shows speeding is involved in roughly 30 percent of deadly crashes with teen drivers.
- Drunk Driving: Even though drivers under 21 years old cannot legally drink, 30 percent of drivers 15 to 20 years old involved in fatal crashes nationwide had alcohol in their bodies at the time of the collision, according to an NHTSA study.
- Night Driving: Most teen crash deaths happen between 6 p.m. and midnight. Lack of visibility and fatigue both increase the danger of night driving for inexperienced motorists.
Who pays for an accident involving a teen driver?
Indiana is a fault-based state. That means the driver who caused your crash is legally responsible for covering your losses. When the at-fault driver is a teenager, financial responsibility often falls on their parents’ insurance policy.
- Most teens are covered under a parent or guardian’s auto insurance policy.
- The insurer must pay for medical costs, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and other damages.
- If your damages exceed the policy limits, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
- Liability (who’s legally responsible for paying for the accident) is determined by Indiana tort law, not no-fault rules.
Our law firm can investigate the details of your crash, make sure the right parties are held accountable under Indiana law, and demand the compensation you deserve.
Can I sue a teen’s parents if they caused my crash?
Yes, but only under specific legal theories. Indiana does not recognize the family purpose doctrine. That means a parent isn’t automatically liable just because their teen caused a crash in a family car. However, under Indiana law, a parent may be held responsible under a legal theory known as negligent entrustment.
- Indiana courts recognize negligent entrustment as a valid legal claim.
- To win, you must show the parent knew their teen was unfit to drive safely.
- This could include a history of reckless driving, license suspensions, or prior accidents.
- You must also prove that letting the teen drive was a direct cause of your crash.
Every case is different, but an experienced attorney knows how to build strong arguments based on Indiana case law and can help you pursue every legal path available to maximize your financial compensation.
Why should I hire an Indiana car accident lawyer?
Crashes involving teen drivers often raise complex legal questions regarding liability, insurance, and damages. A skilled Indiana car accident attorney can uncover the facts and build a case that gets results. Glaser & Ebbs has years of experience fighting for crash victims throughout Indiana. As your lawyer, we can:
- Handle all communication with insurance companies.
- Gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult experts when needed.
- Calculate the true value of your injuries, including long-term medical care, lost income, and other financial losses.
- Fight in court if that’s what it takes to win justice.
If a teen driver caused your crash, or if your teen was hurt in an accident that wasn't their fault, you shouldn’t be left paying the price. Glaser & Ebbs can fight to hold the right people accountable and demand the compensation you deserve. Our case results prove this, including a $16 million settlement in a motor vehicle accident case.
Get the Indiana law firm with 100 years of trial experience. Get Glaser & Ebbs. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Indiana car accident lawyer you can trust in a crisis. We have six offices conveniently located throughout Indiana, including offices in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.
“They are very helpful, very professional, and polite. They made sure I understood everything that would happen in my case from the beginning to the end.” – Tayna D., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐