Hunter & Cassidy Law

Why do teen accidents increase during the summer?

On Behalf of | Jun 2, 2023 | Motor vehicle accidents

Teenagers have a very high rate of causing fatal car accidents. It is the highest rate out of any age group. This doesn’t mean the highest total, but simply that the number of fatal accidents compared to the number of miles that teenagers drive is disproportionately high.

In the summer, experts note that the number of fatal accidents teens are involved in tends to go up. Some officials even go so far as calling the stretch between Labor Day and Memorial Day the 100 deadliest days of summer. Why does this happen?

The school break

The general reason that this occurs is that teenage drivers are on a break from school. Because they already have high fatal accident rates, giving them more opportunities to drive is going to lead to more car accidents in total.

In this sense, being in class through the fall, winter and spring is actually keeping teens safe. The break for summer gives them free time to work or spend with their friends, and that leads to an increase in driving – and a corresponding increase in fatal accidents.

Naturally, there are also some aggravating factors that may play a role. For instance, teenagers often have parties and social gatherings in the summer, which may lead to underage drinking. That could, in turn, lead to a rise in car accidents.

What should you do next?

Regardless of why the accident happens, if you lose a loved one in a car crash caused by another driver’s negligence, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation. This may help to cover things like medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, lost earning potential and much more.