Young drivers are inexperienced and cannot always be trusted to behave carefully and appropriately behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. If you get hurt in a car accident caused by a teen driver in Las Vegas, Nevada, the age of the driver can complicate your car insurance process. You may need assistance and representation from an experienced car accident lawyer in Las Vegas to achieve a fair case outcome.
Why Are Teen Drivers So Dangerous?
Motor vehicle drivers ages 15 to 19 represent a highly dangerous class of motorists. From a car accident standpoint, teenage drivers are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in fatal collisions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the risk of car accidents is higher among teens ages 16 to 19 than any other age group. One of the main risk factors of a teen driver causing an accident is inexperience. Safely operating a motor vehicle gets easier with time and real-world driving experience, which a new driver simply doesn’t possess. Furthermore, teen drivers are more likely to engage in risky behind-the-wheel activities, such as texting and other cell phone use, reckless driving, drunk driving, and not wearing a seat belt.
Common Causes of Teen Driver Accidents in Las Vegas
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the United States. In 2023, 3,048 teenagers ages 13 to 19 lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents, according to statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Common causes of accidents caused by teen drivers in Las Vegas include:
- Distracted driving
- Social media scrolling
- Speeding or racing
- Peer pressure and reckless driving
- Drowsy driving (fatigue)
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Red-light running and other traffic violations
Even if a teenager is paying attention to the road and trying to drive carefully, he or she may lack the skills and experience to respond to hazards quickly and appropriately. This is especially true in non-ideal driving conditions, such as bad weather or nighttime.
Who Pays for an Accident Caused By a Teenager in Nevada?
As in any car accident case in Nevada, if you wish to recover financial compensation from the other driver’s car insurance company, you must prove that he or she is at fault. This typically means proving negligence, or showing with evidence that the other driver fell below the accepted standard of care. Car accident cases involving teen drivers in Las Vegas, however, have the added complication of vicarious liability. This is a legal doctrine that holds parents or legal guardians responsible for the negligence of minors. Under this rule, you may be able to bring a claim against the parents and not just the teen driver.
Can Parents Be Liable for Their Child’s Accident?
Yes, parents can be held liable for their teen’s car accident in Las Vegas. Nevada’s parental liability laws hold the parents of a child who causes a teen driving accident responsible if the teen is under the age of 18. These laws cover unintentional accidents as well as intent to harm another person, vandalism and property destruction.
According to Nevada Revised Statute § 483.300, parents who sign a minor’s driver’s license application can be held vicariously liable for car accidents the teenager causes. Parents become legally responsible for any “negligence or willful misconduct of a minor” that results in a motor vehicle collision. The parents’ automobile insurance policy will cover most teen driver claims.
However, there are caps on parental liability. Nevada law caps the vicarious liability of a parent at $10,000 for injuries and damages caused by willful misconduct. If there is evidence that the parents were negligent in the supervision or control of the teen driver, the cap may be lifted. If the parents knowingly entrusted the vehicle to an unlicensed teen, for example, this could expose the parents to more than $10,000 of liability.
Types of Compensation Available for Teen Driving Accidents
In Nevada, the civil justice system allows injured car accident victims to recover financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Collectively, these are referred to as “compensatory damages,” as their goal is to compensate the victim for losses suffered so that the victim can be made whole again.
Compensatory damages often include:
- Present and future medical care
- Therapies, rehabilitation and medications
- Lost wages
- Lost capacity to earn in the future
- Short-term or long-term disability
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Property damage repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional harm
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Depending on the circumstances, a teen driving accident case may also lead to punitive damages. While these are rare, they are possible in a case involving gross negligence or reckless driving by the teenager, such as driving under the influence. Punitive damages are awarded on top of compensatory damages to punish a defendant.
Licensing Requirements for Teens in Nevada
In Nevada, teens must obtain the proper training and licenses before driving. If a teenager is unlicensed and untrained to operate a motor vehicle, this drastically increases the odds of them causing a serious car crash in Las Vegas.
The steps to get a driver’s license in Nevada as a teen driver are:
- Study for, take and pass the written knowledge test. New drivers should study the provided handbook and be prepared to take a written quiz on Nevada’s roadway rules. They must pass the test to proceed with the license application.
- Get a teen instruction permit. Once the teenager passes the written test, they will get an instruction permit. This is a restricted driver’s license that is valid for one year. Teen drivers must drive with a qualified adult in the vehicle while they have their instruction permits.
- Driver education course. Most drivers in Nevada under the age of 18 are required to complete an approved driver education course before they will be issued a license. This course can be done online or in a classroom.
- Road driving test. Finally, before the DMV will grant a new teen driver a standard license to drive independently, the driver must pass a road driving test. The driver also needs to have had no at-fault crashes, moving violations or drug/alcohol convictions in the past six months.
When to Get Legal Help for a Teen Driver Accident in Las Vegas
A successful car accident claim following a teen driver collision in Las Vegas could provide you with financial compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you wish to maximize your settlement or judgment award, the most effective route is by hiring an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer to represent you. Help from an attorney can allow you to fully understand and protect your rights as the victim of a teen driver accident. Your attorney can gather evidence against the young driver to prove negligence, negotiate with insurance claims adjusters for you and help you navigate the doctrine of vicarious liability as it applies to your case. For a free consultation about a recent teen driver crash in Las Vegas, contact Koch & Brim, LLP. We can help you know what to expect from the claims process and what steps to take next.