Every day, 11 teens die because of texting and driving. 6 out of 10 car crashes with teens involve distracted driving. 12% of these are because of a cell phone. In New York State, injuries caused by an adolescent driver resulted in about $22 million in hospital expenses in 2013. These texting and driving statistics are enough to worry any parent, but there is a way to help prevent these car accidents from happening.

Tips on Preventing Teen Distracted Driving

As a parent, you can help keep your teen safe and prevent a car crash from distracted driving accidents. Take a look at the following tips:

• Lead by example – From the time they were children, they constantly followed what you did and not always what you said. Make sure you put your phone away while driving and be a role model for your teen. This includes hands-free Bluetooth, as even merely talking on the phone can serve as a distraction.
• Limit the number of passengers with your teen – Let your teen know they can only have a specific number of friends in the car with them while they are driving. This will help to limit distractions while behind the wheel.
• Limit music while driving – Encourage your teen to make a “Driving Playlist” to avoid changing radio stations and songs while behind the wheel.
• Consider an app to control cell phone use for your teen – In an effort to prevent teen distracted driving, many parents install an app to limit cell phone use behind the wheel. Apps such as Cellcontrol, Drive Safe Mode, and Live2Txt block texting while driving to keep your teens safe while operating a vehicle.
• Have open communication with your teen about the importance of focused driving – Do not rely on ad campaigns and school counselors to warn your child about the dangers of driving distracted. Have an open conversation with your teen about the hazards and consider their thoughts and suggestions on how to prevent an accident. Your teen will appreciate an open conversation over a one-way lecture.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Distracted Driving Car Accident

If you are involved in a distracted driving car accident, remain as calm as possible. Immediately following the accident, make sure all individuals involved are safe and accounted for. If anyone is injured call for emergency help right away. Then, assess the damage. Record observations of the scene as well as environmental factors that could have contributed to the car crash.  Be sure to take photos since your memory may not be as reliable after a shocking event such as a collision. If you suspect the other driver may have been distracted, contact a car accident lawyer to go over your options. You could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and lost wages due to injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a texting and driving accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Experienced car accident lawyers, Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi and Pearlman of Central New York are ready to fight for you and your rights. Contact us for a free consultation today.

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Tags: Car Accidents