My Teen Was Involved in a Car Accident With a Learner’s Permit. Now What?

May 1, 2024

Learning to drive presents many challenges for teenage drivers. Their initial times behind the wheel are filled with uncertainty, and they are gaining experience in dealing with hazards and difficult situations. Teenage drivers with a permit have a higher rate of car accidents because they are still learning how to drive.

There is a reason why drivers with a permit are obligated to only operate a car when an adult is present. Learning the rules of the road and vehicle safety can take time. One only becomes a good and safe driver when one has more experience behind the wheel. In the interim, other drivers on the road may bear the consequences of a teenage driver’s attempt to gain experience.

The first and most obvious thing you are worried about is the safety of your teenage driver. Then, you may need to deal with the fallout of the accident, which may include compensation for the other driver.

An Accident Victim Must Prove Negligence to Get Financial Compensation

First, the usual rules of car accident liability apply when a teenage driver with a permit is involved. The teenage driver is not automatically liable for the accident. The other driver would still need evidence that the teenage driver was negligent. There is a possibility that the other driver is to blame, and your teen may be the one who is entitled to financial compensation. You should always contact an attorney after the car accident to learn more about whether your teen may have a case for financial compensation.

The Teenager May Not Need Their Own Insurance Coverage

Under Maryland law, the car itself needs to be insured. The insurance is generally on the car, and the insurance company will be notified of the drivers who operate that vehicle. They do not necessarily need to know that a teenage motorist has a permit. The parents would not need to pay extra just because a driver has a permit. Given the high risk involved with teenage drivers, they would need to pay a lot extra when the teenage driver gets a license. Until then, the parents’ insurance will be sufficient to cover the damages.

The teenage driver with a permit does not necessarily need their own individual insurance. However, the car’s owner would have insurance, so there would be some coverage for the car. The teenager would be riding with an adult who would have insurance. Hopefully, this insurance coverage would be enough to pay for the other driver’s damages.

The problem is when teenagers are involved in an accident, violating state law, and driving alone. Then, it would be up to the insurance company to determine whether they will cover the accident. The insurance company may often deny the claim because the teenage driver was breaking the law. Then, the parent who owns the car could be personally liable in a lawsuit.

If your teenager was injured because of someone else’s negligence, they may be entitled to financial compensation. An attorney would fight for them to receive total and fair compensation in the face of the insurance company’s efforts to keep your teenager from getting the money they deserve. Here, the parents would usually file the claim on behalf of the teenager because they are still a minor.

Contact Our Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton for More Information

Regardless of the driver’s age behind the wheel, our Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton can fight for their legal rights. You can call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.

We have offices in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Lanham, and Owings Mills, allowing us to represent clients in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.