Teen drivers sometimes make mistakes and exhibit poor judgment, which can lead to accidents. Whether your teen was injured or you were harmed in a crash that was caused by a teen, the skilled motor vehicle accident attorneys at McCready Law know how to handle these high-stakes cases. McCready Law is ready to help you hold young drivers accountable for your injuries and losses. Schedule a free consultation regarding teen driving accidents in St. Louis today.
The state’s tiered driver licensing system for teens demonstrates how young drivers should handle liability and responsibility in accidents. The system includes three stages: an instruction permit, an intermediate license, and a full driver’s license for individuals under 21. Each stage comes with restrictions that could determine the outcome of a case. For example, teens with an intermediate license cannot drive alone between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless it is for school or work. Violating that rule is a sign of negligence.
According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, teen drivers must log at least 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night, before applying for their intermediate license. If they skip any part of that process or lie on their log, their license may not be valid. This could turn a personal injury case into something more consequential for the driver.
The law also imposes stricter rules on younger drivers regarding cell phone use. It is illegal for anyone under 21 to text while driving. This includes reading messages, typing responses, or scrolling through social media while behind the wheel. A lawyer from McCready Law, skilled in handling crash cases involving young drivers in St. Louis, could investigate the driver’s phone records to assist with the claim.
In many youth car crash cases, parents actively bear legal responsibility. Under the family purpose doctrine, if a parent allows their teen to use the family car, the parent could be responsible for any subsequent accidents. This creates additional options for financial recovery when a teen driver injures someone.
State law also requires a parent to co-sign their teen’s license application. That signature gives the teen permission to drive and creates a legal agreement that the parent holds financial responsibility if the youth causes a crash. This is especially important during the permit and intermediate license stages.
Another issue is negligent entrustment. The issue arises when a parent knowingly allows a teen with a history of speeding, distraction, or carelessness to get behind the wheel. If a teenage driver in St. Louis injures someone in a vehicle crash, the parent should anticipate involvement in a lawsuit for knowingly endangering others.
The biggest mistake people in St. Louis make after a vehicle crash with injuries caused by a teenage driver is talking to any insurance company before talking to a skilled lawyer. Whether it is the injured person’s provider or the young driver-at-fault’s provider, insurance companies aim to close claims quickly and pay out as little as possible. One wrong sentence could damage the case before it even starts.
The injured party should not talk to any insurance adjusters, including their own insurer, until they have spoken with the best teenage driver accident lawyer they can find. Contact McCready Law as soon as possible to handle all communication with both insurance companies.
With over 20 years of experience, McCready Law handles complex injury cases, such as teen driving accidents in St. Louis. Their legal team includes former insurance defense attorneys who know exactly how these companies operate and how to outdo them at their own specialty. Contact McCready Law today for a free consultation and to learn more about your options.
