Underage drivers are a risk on our nation’s roads and highways. Each state has specific rules and regulations regarding the age at which a teenager is permitted to drive accompanied by an adult, and when the teenager can drive alone.
In most states, new teenage drivers are required to take a high school sponsored or commercial driver training school course, which is licensed by their state, to train teenagers how to drive. There are definite requirements as to how many hours are required behind the wheel, and in the classroom studying the rules of the road.
Many teenagers get their instruction license permit to drive while they are still pending being enrolled in a class. If you have an accident with a teenager with this status, you will need to know your rights. This is especially true if the teenager is driving without a parent, responsible approved adult or legal guardian in the passenger seat, directing and guiding the teenager while he or she is actually driving.
There is good reason to be concerned that these drivers are on the roads unattended. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Statistics show that this figure accounts for more than one in three deaths. In the year 2008, approximately nine teenagers died every day from the result of an automobile accident.
If you are in an accident with an underage teen, you may have specific questions regarding the liability of the teen driving, and the responsibility of the parent of the teen. If the parent was not in the auto at the time of the accident, you may have issues and questions regarding the parent’s liability for the losses that occur as a result of the accident.
You can call the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or contact us online at www.ledgerlaw.com. We are available to answer any specific or general questions that you may have regarding underage drivers and the applicable laws when there is an accident and resulting losses.
Emery Brett Ledger brings more than 27 years of experience to personal injury law. He founded & led The Ledger Law Firm in securing over $100 million in compensation for clients with life-altering injuries & complex claims. Licensed in California, Texas, & Washington, Emery earned his law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. His practice areas include car & truck accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, maritime claims, & mass tort litigation. He has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100, Mass Tort Trial Lawyers Top 25, and America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys. Emery also received the 2025 Elite Lawyer Award & holds a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating with Platinum Client Champion status. His legal work has been featured on CNN, Forbes, NBC, & ABC.
