Student Drivers & Accidents: What Happens When a Teen Causes or Is Hurt in a Crash

When your teenage child begins driving, you’ve hit a milestone that can be amazing and terrifying at the same time. Your child now has independence and new responsibilities, which, as parents, will probably cause a fair amount of anxiety. Teenage drivers are still learning the rules of the road and developing the needed judgment to make decisions quickly. This learning curve can sometimes lead to accidents.

When a crash involving a teenage driver occurs, questions about who is responsible and whose insurance should pay often arise. Parents of the driver often wonder if they, too, will be held liable, especially if someone was injured. In Tennessee, several laws apply to cases involving drivers under 18. Understanding these laws can help families prepare in case of an accident.

Why teen drivers are involved in more accidents

According to the CDC, teen drivers have among the highest crash rates of any age group. Inexperience, distraction, and risk-taking behaviors can all play a role in why more accidents occur in this age group. Likewise, new drivers need to learn to judge speed, braking time, and anticipate hazards. Even the most responsible teenagers struggle with these situations that experienced drivers may handle automatically.

To help combat accidents in this age group, Tennessee has implemented a graduated driver licensing system. This system places restrictions on drivers while they gain experience. Young drivers must progress through stages that include supervised driving and restrictions for night driving and carrying passengers before they receive full driving privileges.

Even with restrictions and training, accidents still happen, and parents may be left to wonder who is responsible when a teen driver causes an accident.

Who is responsible when a teen causes a crash?

In many cases, the first person who is liable is the person who caused the accident. If a teen driver was negligent (failing to drive with reasonable care), then they may be responsible for damages and injuries caused by the accident. There’s a major caveat here. Because teen drivers are under the age of 18, the liability doesn’t always stop with the driver. Tennessee law allows for other parties to be held responsible, including the driver’s guardians.

When parents can be held liable

Parents aren’t automatically liable for every action their teen driver takes behind the wheel, but Tennessee law does create several situations in which parents may share responsibility.

Signing a minor’s driver’s license application

Taking the initial trip to the driver’s license office is exciting for both a parent and their teen. Parents or legal guardians must sign a minor’s driver’s license application, and the person who signs may be held responsible for damages caused by that minor’s negligence while driving. This means that the person who signs the application could face legal responsibility for damages if the teen causes an accident.

The family purpose doctrine

Another important rule in Tennessee is the Family Purpose Doctrine. Under this rule, the owner of a vehicle can be held responsible if a family member causes a crash while using a family vehicle for an authorized family purpose.

Here’s a possible scenario: A parent owns a car and lets their teen drive it. If the teen causes a crash while using the vehicle, any person who is injured may be able to pursue a claim against the parent as well as the teen driver. Tennessee courts have consistently upheld this doctrine to allow injured parties to recover damages when a family vehicle is involved.

Negligent entrustment

Parents can also share liability if they knowingly allow a reckless, unlicensed, incompetent, or unsafe teen to drive. This concept, known as negligent entrustment, can apply if a parent or guardian allows a teen to drive when they have a history of unsafe driving or don’t have the ability to drive responsibly. In these cases, the parents’ decision to allow the teen to drive may become part of the claim.

What happens when a teen driver is injured in an accident?

Teen drivers aren’t always the ones responsible for a crash. Sometimes, they are victims of another driver’s negligent actions. If a teen is injured in an accident by another driver, Tennessee law allows the teen, and often their parents, to pursue a claim for damages like medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, lost earning potential, and property damage.

Parents may also have their own claims for damages related to their child’s injury, like financial losses and medical bills.

How insurance works with teen drivers

In most households, the teen driver is covered under the family’s auto insurance policy. When a teen causes a crash, the auto policy may pay for damages up to the policy limits. In these cases, injured parties may pursue a legal claim against the parents or vehicle owners if an independent basis for liability exists.

For this reason, it’s important for parents and teens to understand how insurance policies work and how injured parties may attempt to collect damages if an accident were to occur.

Steps to take after an accident with a teen driver

Before your teen driver takes to the road, it’s important to prepare them for what to do in case an accident happens. Whether they cause the accident or not, they need to know the steps to take to keep themselves and others safe.

1. Make sure everyone is safe. If there are injuries, call for medical assistance.
2. Call the police. A police report is important for determining liability.
3. Document the scene. Take photographs of the damage, collect insurance information from other parties, and get names and phone numbers of eyewitnesses.
4. Notify your insurance company. Your insurance company needs to be notified of the accident.
5. Speak to an attorney. Accidents involving minors can raise numerous legal questions about liability and parental responsibility. An experienced car accident attorney can help evaluate the situation and explain your options.

It’s a good idea to coach your teen about what they say after an accident. Normally, the less talking, the better.

Talk to a Tennessee car accident attorney today

If your teenager has been involved in a car accident, whether as a driver who caused it or someone who was injured, contact Delius, McKenzie & McCarter today. Our team of experienced attorneys can review your case and outline all of the legal options you have. We work with families facing difficult situations after car accidents to help protect their rights and find the best possible solution.