Florida Ranked in Top 10 States With Highest Teen Driver Fatality Rate

Teen driving a car in traffic with the windows down.

Car accidents caused by teen drivers are a serious problem.

Car accident fatalities in Florida often occur due to crashes caused by teenage drivers. Teen driver accident fatalities in Florida are among the top 10 nationwide compared to all other states, according to a recent study conducted by Bumper.

"Young drivers are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in fatal accidents," the Bumper.com car accident study said.

Teen driver facts

As part of its study, traffic safety experts at Bumper analyzed car accident data from 2011 to 2020 compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). During that period, drivers ages 16 to 19 caused 7,316 traffic deaths nationwide.

Researchers at Bumper and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also discovered several essential findings:

Nearly 50 percent of teen driver fatalities occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. This time of year is called the "100 Deadliest Days."
Teen driver fatalities in 2021 increased dramatically to 900 deaths, a 6 percent increase compared to 2020 and 25 percent higher than in 2019.

Florida was ranked the 7^th worst state for teen driver car accident fatalities compared to other states, according to the Bumper study. Specifically, 6.82 deaths for every 10,000 teenage drivers occurred annually in Florida between 2011 and 2020.

Why is teenage driving dangerous?

Traffic safety experts at Bumper, the AAA Foundation, and other organizations have identified several common causes of collisions caused by teenage drivers:

Speeding – 44.4 percent of collisions caused by teenagers involve speeding. "Teens may not realize that going faster isn't going to get them to their destination quicker and that maneuvering around slower cars and hard braking at stops puts them at tremendous risk," said auto insurance expert Divya Sangameshwar, who helped write a recent ValuePenguin teen driver accident study.
Distracted Driving – Teen drivers consistently cause more accidents due to not paying attention, whether it's because of texting while driving, talking on the phone, or being distracted by other teenagers in the vehicle.
Drunk Driving – Even though teenagers are not legally old enough to drink, it still happens. About 23 percent of fatal car accidents caused by teenagers involve teen drivers under the influence of alcohol.
Inexperience – Lack of experience makes teen drivers especially dangerous. That's because they may not accurately assess the risks they face on the road, resulting in a serious or fatal car accident.

Safety experts consistently recommend several solutions for eliminating car accidents caused by teen drivers:

Parents should consistently talk with their children about safe driving habits, including not speeding, wearing their seatbelts, and not using their cell phones while driving.
Young drivers should take driver education courses that teach how to drive safely.
Police and other law enforcement officials need to enforce the rules of the road, even if it's simply giving young drivers a warning for speeding.

When to talk to a car accident attorney

When you're involved in a car crash caused by a teenage driver in Florida, you might think that you don't need a lawyer to recover the compensation you deserve. However, the reality is that many car accident claims or lawsuits can quickly become complex legal matters. That's why having an experienced attorney by your side, advocating for your rights, is essential.

At the Law Offices of Brent Miller, P.A., our team of Central Florida car accident lawyers is here to support you throughout the entire process. With our in-depth knowledge of the law and understanding of the legal system, we are equipped to handle even the most challenging cases. Most importantly, we have the determination and tenacity needed to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf.

Don't wait to talk to a lawyer after you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving negligence. Take the first step and review your potential legal options with our law firm. We offer legal representation on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we win your case. Talk to a lawyer at one of our four offices located in Central Florida, including Tavares, Inverness, Clermont, and The Villages. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation.