Teen drivers are a higher risk on the road, as most people know. Teen drivers who are not licensed and who have not completed a driver’s education course are an even bigger risk. A recent fatal accident in Georgia illustrates this point.
On Jan. 25, 2015, a 14-year-old boy was driving a sedan when he veered into oncoming traffic and was hit by another car. The driver was taken to a nearby children’s hospital, and it is reported that he is in critical condition. Unfortunately, there was a 14-year-old passenger in the sedan who died from the impact. Neither the driver nor the passenger were wearing seat belts.
Those who were in the car that hit the teen driver’s car, along with the occupants of a third vehicle, were also transported to a local hospital. Their injuries were reported as not being life threatening. Witnesses reported that the driver of the sedan was speeding when he apparently lost control of the vehicle, leading to the involvement of the two other vehicles in the collision.
In cases such as this one, when a minor is responsible for an accident resulting in injuries, whether a fatal accident or not, the injured parties and the families of those who died as a result of the injuries they sustained still have the right to pursue compensation. However, as Georgia civil claims cannot be filed against minors, any claims in accidents similar to this one will have to be filed against the parents or guardians of the minors. In addition, if the owners of the vehicles being driven by minors at the time of an accident are people other than the minors’ parents or guardians, those affected by an accident may also include the vehicles’ owners in their claims.
Source: wsbtv.com, “Police: 14-year-old passenger killed, teen driver hurt in crash”, Jan. 25, 2015
