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Older Vehicles Present Safety Concerns for Teens

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
older cars and teen driversThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that older cars are the worst cars for teens. Teenage drivers are at a higher risk for auto accident fatalities. To reduce this risk, it is imperative that the vehicles they drive offer adequate updated safety equipment and collision protection. Older cars lack the crash protection and extensive safety technology that newer models offer. Between 2008 and 2012, nearly half of teen drivers who were killed in automobile accidents were driving vehicles over 11 years old. Many of the safety features we rely on today simply were not standard on vehicles manufactured a decade ago. In the past, electronic stability control was found mainly as an option in luxury vehicles as of 2012, it is required for all new automobiles. While side and curtain air bags provide vital protection in newer vehicles, this technology was not a standard feature for most models made 10 years ago. Not all parents can purchase brand-new vehicles for their teens, but it is important to select the safest model they can afford. The smaller, older vehicles which are more affordable or vehicles that are handed down from one family member to another are not always equipped with important safety features and can be a dangerous option for teens. IIHS has compiled a list of safe cars for teen drivers. IIHS reports that larger, heavier vehicles are safer for teen drivers, as they provide more protection in the event of an accident compared to smaller, compact vehicles. Electronic stability control is a must for a teenagers car, as this safety technology will help the driver keep control of the automobile when road and weather conditions are not ideal. High horsepower engines should be avoided to reduce the temptation to speed. If your teenager has been injured in an automobile accident, speak to a reputable Sacramento car accident attorney for a free evaluation of your claim.

Call (916) 777-7777 or submit our online form and learn more about your options by speaking with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer at Arnold Law Firm.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.