A recent study by WalletHub has found that car, truck and motorcycle crashes are the most common cause of death in 16-19-year-olds. The report, which looked at statistics from 2011, cited more than 2,600 deaths and almost 300,000 injuries to drivers under the age of 20. As a group, these drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than all other drivers.

Those most at risk include:

The newest drivers—Crash rates are the highest for drivers in their first six months behind the wheel
Young males—Teen boys are twice as likely to be in a fatal accident as teen girls
Teens riding together—Fatal accidents rates are greater when teens are driving with teenage passengers

The Principal Causes of Teen Motor Vehicle Accidents

According to the study, there are a number of reasons why accident and death rates are higher among 16-19-year-olds. Researchers say teens are more inclined to misjudge traffic situations, either underestimating the risks involved or failing entirely to identify a potentially dangerous situation. Teens driving together, especially teenage boys, encourage risk-taking and dares, often fueled by peer pressure or hormones. Teens also have a greater propensity to speed and to engage in drinking and driving—statistics showed that more than one-third of the fatal crashes involved a speeding teen, and one in four involved alcohol.

Additionally, almost half of all teens interviewed said they don’t always wear seat belts, and that statistic goes up when teens have been drinking and driving. The study found that 71% of teen drivers killed after drinking and driver did not have seat belts on at the time of the crash.
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You can reach us by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week to discuss your Nassau County motor vehicle accident claim. For a free initial consultation, contact us online or call us in Garden City at 516-248-2234 or in Flushing-Queens at 718-539-3100 (toll free at 888-519-3100).

We can arrange to meet with you in your home or at the hospital, if necessary. We have offices in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Nassau counties.
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Google Says “Other Factors” Responsible for Self-Driving Motor Vehicle Accidents

Last week, Google released information about the dozen accidents thus far involving the self-driving vehicles that it is developing and marketing. The company said it was keeping its promise to provide monthly reports on performance and safety issues. According to the press release, all of the crashes involving Google’s vehicles have been “minor,” and no personal injuries have been reported.

Though the company has continually insisted that none of the collisions have resulted from problems with the self-driving technology, it was reported that at least one accident involved a self-driving car that ran into the back of another car in traffic. According to Google, though, that car was actually being operated by a staffer at the time of the accident. The report issued last week found that:

Half of the accidents occurred while the car was in autonomous mode and half while being operated by a Google employee
Ten of the twelve accidents occurred in Mountain View
At least one accident occurred on a highway near San Jose, with the self-driving vehicle operating at a speed of more than 60 miles per hour

Sources say that the California DMV has licensed 48 self-driving vehicles since September of 2014, and that four of them have been involved in accidents. Of the 48 licensed vehicles, 23 are owned by Google and 12 are owned by Tesla motors. Under current California rules, though a self-driving vehicle may be on the road in autonomous mode, a licensed operator must still be in the driver’s seat.

Currently, there are four states with specific laws allowing self-driving vehicles—Michigan, Nevada, Florida and California. However, no other state has a specific ban, so the vehicles may be operated anywhere.
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To set up an appointment with an experienced New York motor vehicle accident injury lawyer, contact our office online or call us toll free at 888-519-6400. Your first consultation is free of charge.