Teen Driving Accidents in Loveland
Any driver may cause an accident; no one is infallible. However, teenage drivers tend to be more susceptible to distractions and make poor road decisions. Combined with their general lack of experience operating a vehicle, this means that car wrecks involving teens can happen frequently.
When an adolescent driver has hurt you, you deserve to receive fair compensation for the injuries you sustained. A seasoned car collision attorney with experience handling teen driving accidents in Loveland could help you navigate this process. They could investigate and analyze the wreck, deal with the insurance companies, and seek to protect your legal rights. Schedule an initial consultation today to learn more.
Laws Regarding Teenage Drivers
Given the dangers surrounding young and inexperienced drivers, the Colorado legislature has passed several laws to promote safety and limit teen driving crashes in Loveland.
Cell Phone Laws
Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-239 limits cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle. Although this statute prevents all drivers from texting while driving, it also prohibits any motorist under the age of 18 from using a phone for any purpose while operating a vehicle.
Curfew Laws
Additionally, Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-116(2) makes it illegal for any driver under the age of 21 to be on the road between midnight and five in the morning during the first year that they hold their license.
Passenger Laws
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-116(1) prohibits motorists under 21 from having a passenger under 21 in the car during the first six months of holding a license unless it is a family member. Similarly, drivers under 21 are limited to having only one passenger under 21 in the car with them until they have held their license for one year.
If a teenager violates any of these rules and causes a wreck, the injured person may be able to use that violation as evidence of the driver’s negligence and bolster their claim for compensation. An experienced attorney could help evaluate these statutes’ impact on a particular case.
Multiple Drivers at Fault
Just because one of the drivers in a Loveland collision is a teenager does not mean they caused the crash. Determining fault in a car accident is a complicated and fact-dependent issue. In some situations, both motorists may bear some portion of the blame for the wreck.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-111 states that an injured person’s role in causing a collision that led to their injuries will not automatically prevent them from recovering compensation for their losses from the other party.
A judge or jury must determine the relative percentages of fault between the two parties. If the injured person’s liability is less than the other driver’s, they can recover compensation for their damages. However, the amount they would otherwise recover will be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault.
Seek Help From an Attorney After a Teenage Driving Accident in Loveland
When you have been involved in a car crash, you deserve to focus on healing. A lawyer could help you understand the laws implicated in your wreck, analyze who may be considered legally at fault, and calculate your compensable damages.
Schedule an initial consultation with a legal professional who handles teen driving accident cases in Loveland. Our team of reliable personal injury attorneys could help you win a fair settlement or take your case to court if necessary.