During the summer months, the fatal accident rate involving teen drivers goes up. This happens on such a consistent basis that some people have nicknamed it the 100 Deadly Days of Summer. It’s not that there aren’t teen accidents year-round—they have the highest fatal accident rate of any age group—but just that it happens more during the summer.
Even if you are not a teen, it’s important to be aware of this trend. You are always facing some level of risk from the drivers around you whenever you get behind the wheel. The summer months could increase some of these dangers because of the prevalence of serious teen accidents.
Why do the rates go up?
Perhaps the largest reason why the rates go up is that teens spend more time on the road during the summer months. They may take road trips, go to the beach, spend time with friends, or get summer jobs that require them to commute.
But regardless of what they’re specifically doing, being off of their standard school schedule means they have more time to drive. Because this age group already has high fatal accident rates, the totals go up in the summer due to the increased exposure.
Unfortunately, there are few ways to prevent this increase. Many teen accidents happen because of a lack of experience. The summer months can give them more driving experience, but some teenagers will cause car accidents along the way.
Seeking compensation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident or if you’ve lost a loved one, you may deserve financial compensation. Be sure you know what legal steps to take at this time.
