Did your teen recently receive his or her driver’s license? As a parent, giving your child the keys to a vehicle can seem overwhelming, but there are steps you can take to improve his or her safety. In particular, purchasing a vehicle with a high safety rating can help your teen avoid injuries if the worst happens.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of crashing is higher for teens than any other age group. Although inexperience contributes to many of these accidents, some of them stem from the negligence of other drivers.
If you or your child was the victim of a negligent motorist in South Carolina, contact the Churdar Law Firm. Doug Churdar is a Greenville accident attorney who can evaluate your crash to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for health-care bills, lost income and other damages.
Call our office today at 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation, and visit http://accident.usattorneys.com/south-carolina/ to learn more about injury lawsuits in South Carolina.
Here are four tips to help you find a safe vehicle for your teen:
1. Look at NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings.
According to Edmunds.com, both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conduct comprehensive safety evaluations of vehicles. A 5-Star Rating from the NHTSA indicates an exceptionally safe vehicle. The IIHS lists them as Top Safety Picks.
2. Look for the latest safety technology.
Every parent is on a budget, but you cannot put a price on your teen’s safety. Fortunately, modern vehicles come with a multitude of advanced safety features such as backup cameras, crash avoidance systems and GPS. You can also invest in technology that automatically limits cell phone functions in vehicles.
3. Purchase a vehicle with low horsepower
Speeding is a main contributor to auto accidents in all age groups. Driving at high speeds not only limits the motorist’s reaction time, but it also makes property damage and injuries worse if a crash happens. Your teen may be less likely to speed if the vehicle has low horsepower.
4. Buy a mid-size vehicle.
Smaller vehicles, such as compact cars, are not as protective in a collision. However, large SUVs can be difficult for inexperienced drivers to handle. Consider purchasing a mid-size vehicle for optimum safety and handling.
Other Tips for Teen Drivers
In addition to purchasing a safe vehicle, you should regularly remind your teen to follow the basic rules of the road. These include:
· Always wear your seatbelt;
· Avoid driving at night or when fatigued;
· Put your cell phone in the glove box before starting the engine;
· Do not speed;
· Maintain a safe following distance;
· And adjust your speed according to road conditions.
If your child was injured by a negligent driver, contact the Churdar Law Firm. As a Greenville personal-injury lawyer, Doug Churdar can gather evidence, talk to witnesses and structure your claim. He can help you avoid mistakes and aggressively fight for the maximum settlement. Schedule a consultation today by calling 864-233-0203.