Remember the carefree days of youth, when summer meant climbing behind the wheel to cruise around with a carload of your best friends? A lot has changed since those heady times, both with the laws and the grim statistics regarding vehicular injuries and deaths of teenagers.
That’s why state and federal agencies across the country created a safety plan for the so-called “100 Days of Summer” that run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
What increases the risks for teens?
After school is out for the summer, teens find things to occupy those hours. For some, It’s summer jobs. Others may head out on road trips with friends and family. Regardless, summer is a time when there are more drivers and their passengers on the highways and city streets. It is inevitable that with a higher traffic volume, the number of collisions will rise as well.
Intoxicated driving puts all at risk
It’s not just teens who face injuries or worse during this time of heightened travel. Anyone headed to work or on the evening commute can be adversely affected by the additional cars and trucks jamming up the interstates.
Serious injuries can lead to mountains of medical bills
If you or your family members get seriously injured in a wreck, the bills for medical treatment can be astronomical. Burns, spinal, neck and head injuries may require ongoing, intensive therapies, multiple surgeries and expensive equipment (e.g., Hoyer lifts, electric wheelchairs, etc.).
Sometimes, justice must be won
Insurance companies are notorious for leaving claimants in the lurch when it comes to paying out legitimate claims for their true value. They much prefer it when injured plaintiffs accept the lowball offers they extend. Learning more about your right to compensation after an accident leaves you seriously injured is always prudent.