With winter’s road hazards (hopefully) in our rear-view mirrors for 2025, we welcome spring’s warmer weather and sunny skies. But along with the rising temperatures, there is also an uptick in traffic fatalities for teens.
The reasons are fairly clear, as there is much to celebrate for New Jersey’s youngest drivers. It’s prom season, which is a time for much youthful exuberance. In too many unfortunate cases, prom night is when teens may experiment with alcohol or illegal drugs. Then graduation arrives, along with the series of parties that accompany these celebrations. It’s no wonder so many teens get killed (or end up hurting or killing other motorists and their passengers).
Other adverse factors
Come June, once the schools let out, many New Jersey families head for the shore for their own vacations. If they are sharing the roads with inexperienced teenage drivers on senior trips to the shore who engage in underage drinking or do drugs, the results can be horrific for everyone.
What do the numbers say?
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that roughly 1,000 young people age 13 to 20 lose their lives in traffic accidents related to drinking or drugging and driving during prom and graduation parties and other celebrations. Another survey asked respondents from 13 to 20 if they ever drank alcohol despite being underage. Parents might be alarmed to realize that over half responded “yes” when asked just that.
No one wants to lose a child that way or see their child’s future ruined in a single second by an at-fault accident that claims someone else’s life. It is just too devastating to contemplate.
What can injured parties do?
Fortunately, there is a path toward justice for you or your injured loved ones. Filing a claim for damages against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company is the initial step towards a lucrative settlement or judgment.