Every parent dreads the day their teen gets their driver’s license. It generally means late nights wondering and worrying about their safety. Fortunately, the more you get involved in the driving preparation process, the safer they will be from being injured in a Daytona Beach car accident.

It Starts with Setting a Good Example

There is a good chance your child will adopt many of your driving habits. That is why you should always operate your vehicle in the same manner as you would expect them to.

Practice, Practice, and More Practice

The more practice your child has behind the wheel before they are on their own, the better. That is why you should spend as much time teaching your young driver as possible. You should plan on spending at least 50 hours practicing with them before turning them loose.

Teach Them about the Dangers of Driving Distractions

Driving distracted is one of the most dangerous things any driver can do. Driving distractions put everybody’s lives at risk. Your child should understand that distractions take their eyes off the road and can have deadly consequences. They should avoid:

  • Texting.
  • Cell phone use.
  • Eating and drinking. Meals should be consumed before they start the car.
  • Changing radio stations, CDs, or song selections.
  • Personal grooming. Makeup and hair should be done before ever stepping foot outside the house.

Your Teen Should Know about Car Maintenance

Does your teen have much knowledge about how an automobile works? If they are like most people, the answer is no. However, your child should be familiar with:

  • How to check the air pressure in their tires.
  • Scheduling routine oil changes.
  • What the different indicators on the dashboard mean.
  • How to handle a roadside emergency, such as a flat tire.


Your Teen Should Know What to Do if They Are Involved in an Accident

We can all hope that our children are never involved in a car accident. However, we cannot control their surroundings when they leave the driveway. For this reason, it is critical that your teen knows what to do in the event they are involved in an auto accident:

  • Dial 911 immediately, especially if someone is seriously hurt.
  • Locate the other driver and ask for their personal information, including their name, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance information, and car registration information.
  • Write down the license plate numbers for all cars involved in the collision.
  • Snap as many pictures of the accident scene as possible.
  • Identify any witnesses and get their names and phone numbers.
  • Do not speak to an insurance adjuster following the accident. Their goal is to discredit your child’s case. They want to pay as little as possible, if any, for your teen’s injuries.


If Your Teen Is Injured in a Car Accident

Should the unthinkable happen, the team at Johnson & Gilbert, P.A. can help. We are experienced in helping car accident victims build strong cases and dealing with insurance companies. We will work hard to ensure your child is not taken advantage of and that their rights are protected.

Contact one of our experienced Daytona Beach car accident attorneys at Johnson & Gilbert, P.A. if your teen driver has been injured in a car accident. We can be reached at (386) 673-4412 or (800) 556-8890. We will work vigorously to defend your child’s rights.