Someone you know was seriously injured in a car accident in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and you may be wondering if that person can recover damages. To answer this will require knowledge of the state’s no-fault insurance laws and negligence laws. And everything depends on proving the other side’s negligence.
Teen drivers, in particular, are known for being negligent and reckless. The number of teen driving crashes, and the number of fatalities, tends to go up, too, during the period known as the “100 deadliest days.” This refers to the time from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Negligent driving among teens
The 100 deadliest days coincide with summer, when teens are out of school, driving more and partying more. It’s understandable, then, that there would be more accidents. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says that between 2008 and 2018, over 8,300 fatalities arose from teen driving crashes during the 100 deadliest days.
Among other things, teen drivers tend to speed. In a Traffic Safety Culture Index, 47% of respondents aged 16 to 18 admitted to going 10 miles over the speed limit in a residential area in the previous 30 days while 40% admitted to driving 15 miles over it on the freeway. Texting (35%), red-light running (32%), aggressive driving (31%) and drowsy driving (25%) were also widely reported. Lastly, 17% failed to wear their seatbelt.
Preparing for the 100 deadliest days
Parents and teens should talk about the dangers of negligent and reckless driving each year as the 100 deadliest days approach. Parents may want to go a step further and coach their teens on safety as they are driving. AAA recommends in-vehicle coaching for at least 50 hours.
A lawyer to provide personal attention
When you or someone you know is injured in an MVA, one of the most important steps that’s usually proposed is to see a lawyer for a case evaluation. By doing this, you may get personal attention on the case. The lawyer may protect your rights from start to finish and handle all negotiations for a settlement out of court.