Two Teens Killed in Colorado Car Accident

 Posted on December 31, 2018 in Car Accident

On December 27, 2018, two Colorado teens were fatally injured on Highway 105 when they lost control of their vehicle and collided with a semi-truck. Colorado State Patrol officers believe that the collision was caused in part by winter driving conditions. For parents throughout Colorado, the fatal car crash served as a sobering reminder of the dangers of teenage driving.

Teenage Collisions Nationwide

Throughout the United States, teenage drivers are among the most commonly injured in motor vehicle collisions. It should come as no surprise that 16 year old drivers are more likely to crash than drivers of any other age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016, over 290,000 American teens between the ages of 16 and 19 were hospitalized due to injuries suffered in motor vehicle collisions. Of those injured, 2,433 teens suffered injuries that proved to be fatal. 

Preventing Teenage Driving Accidents 

When children reach a certain age, parents have to accept that they will begin to drive unsupervised. While many motor vehicle collisions are unavoidable, there are a few steps you can take to help educate your teen driver on how to remain safe: 

• Wear a Seat Belt: Despite the fact that seat belts save the lives of an average of 14,000 Americans every year, many people choose to not wear their seat belt. Unsurprisingly, teenagers are the least likely age demographic to wear their seat belts. According to studies conducted by the CDC, only 59% of high school students consistently wear their seat belts. Talking to your teenage child about the safety benefits of a seat belt restraint system can make a huge difference in ensuring they remain safe while traveling as a driver or passenger. 
• Practice Safe Driving Habits: In many motor vehicle collisions, the accident is caused solely by driver negligence. Negligent driving is especially common among teenage drivers. Throughout 2016, approximately 32% of all teenage collisions were caused by drivers travelling at excessive speeds. Other forms of dangerous driving include distracted driving, reckless passing, and driving while fatigued. 
• Do Not Drink and Drive: While this may seem like an obvious talking point, having a conversation with your teen driver regarding the risks of drinking and driving can make a monumental difference in their driving habits. Throughout 2016, over 15% of all teenage drivers in fatal collisions had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit of 0.08.   
• Drive With Them: Parents should drive with their children as much as possible to help them gain invaluable experience. The CDC reports that inexperience is the number one cause of teenage driving collisions. Next time you have to go to the grocery store or take your teenage driver to school, consider letting them get behind the wheel. 

Contact a Fort Collins Car Accident Lawyer 

At Hoggatt Law Office, P.C., our team is dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they deserve for injuries suffered in motor vehicle collisions. If you or a loved one is involved in a car accident, it is likely that the collision was caused by the negligent actions of a driver. To schedule your free initial consultation with a Larimer County auto accident attorney and learn about your options for pursuing compensation, call our office at 970-225-2190. 

Sources: 

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html

https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Troopers-Investigate-Deadly-Crash-on-Highway-105-503567031.html