Each year over 5,000 teens ages 16 to 20 die due to fatal injuries caused by car accidents, and nearly 400,000 drivers age 16 to 20 will be seriously injured, according to www.car-accidents.com.

Why does this happen?

The fact that new drivers are easily distracted is a major factor. Mix that with the lack of experience, and it is recipe for disaster.

Read the last two causes of fatal teen car accidents, compiled by Reader’s Digest, and teach your young drivers about these causes so that they can avoid them.

7. Lack of sleep. Nearly half of teens are sleep-deprived, and young drivers cause 55% of fatigue-related crashes.

8. Driving in the dark. Teens are three times more like to die in a car accident at night then they are during the day.

Keep your teen safe by talking to them about resposible driving habits. Should you or a loved one be injured in an accident, contact our Findlay, Ohio teen car accident lawyers at 800.637.8170 for your free copy of The Ohio Accident Book.

Knowing what causes most fatal teen car accidents can help new and experienced drivers alike avoid the devastation that comes with the tragic car accident death of a loved one. Reader’s Digest has compiled the main causes of fatal teen car wrecks to help parents warn their teens about what can happen if they don’t make smart choices while behind the wheel.

Check out the next three common causes of teen car accident deaths:

4. Driving with more than one passenger. While driving with one passenger increases a teen driver’s fatal car crash risk by 48%, adding a second passenger increases the fatality risk by 158%.

5. Radio, iPod, and other distractions. 87% of teen deaths involve ditracted driving, and radios rank as a top teen distraction.

6. Eating and driving. Eating behind the wheel accounts for 2% of teen crashes.

If you have been injured in an accident, call our Bowling Green, Ohio injury car accident lawyers at 800.637.8170 to order your free copy of The Ohio Accident Book.

According to research found in Reader’s Digest, nearly half of teen car-crash deaths happen at night. Our Findlay, Ohio fatal teen car accident attorneys see the devastation that teen car accidents can cause to a family and a community.

The best way to help your teen avoid being injured in a car accident or avoid causing a car accident is to talk to your new driver about how teen crashes are caused. Being open with your teen about the dangers of driving may help them to make smarter decisions on the road.

Here are the first three factors in fatal teen car accidents:

1. Speeding. Speeding is a factor in 35% of crash deaths involving young drivers.

2. Texting. Cell phone use increases the risk for a fatal teen crash by an astonishing 300%.

3. Passengers. Adding one passenger increases the fatal teen crash risk by 48%.

Call 800.637.8170 to order your free copy of The Ohio Wrongful Death Book to learn your rights after the tragic loss of a loved one.

Our Toledo, Ohio fatal teen car accident lawyers urge teens to drive carefully as football games, Homecoming dances, and bonfires start with the beginning of fall.

According to the National Traffic and Safety Administration, teens are more distracted when they drive, due to factors such as passengers, loud music, cell phones, and iPods.

Parents should sit down and talk with teens about their driving, and emphasize these three rules:

1. Buckle up! Accidents are just that - accidents. Whether or not the accident is your fault, wearing a seatbelt can greatly increase your chances for avoiding serious injury or even death in an Ohio car accident.

2. Stay focused! Keep your eyes on the road, no matter what song is on the radio or which friend is in the car. Paying close attention to the road at all times will make you better prepared for an unexpected stop or roadblock that could cause an Ohio car accident.

3. Do not use a cell phone! It can be tempting to make a “quick” call or to send a “short” text message while driving. Don’t do it! Taking your eyes off the road and onto your phone for even a second can greatly increase your chance for a fatal teen Ohio car accident. Either pull over or wait to get to your destination before sending a text or calling someone on your cell.

If you or someone you know has lost someone to a fatal Ohio car crash, you need information. Contact our Toledo, Ohio fatal car crash lawyers at 800.637.8170 to order your free copy of The Ohio Wrongful Death Book today.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, fatal car accidents occur most frequently for drivers aged 16 to 19 years of age. Why does this happen?

The California Department of Motor Vehicles took a look at the teen driver crash risks, and found that contributing factors to the high rate of fatal car accident involving teens included:

The inability to detect hazards - this skill comes with time, as the driver spends more and more time behind the wheel. New drivers are not able to fully recognize when there is a hazard in their surroundings.

Low risk perception - Teen drivers are not only more likely NOT to recognize a hazard, but they are also more likely to take risks while behind the wheel. This makes for a dangerous combination of decision making that can lead to fatal car accidents.

Want to read the other factors that can lead to fatal teen car accidents? Read “Why are car accidents highest among teens? Part II” in our next blog.

We urge parents to talk to their teens about safe driving techniques, and smart decision making. Encourage your teen to get a lot of driving practice while you are in the car, and be open about the hazards that car arise behind the wheel.

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one to tragic circumstances, order your free copy of The Ohio Wrongful Death Book, by calling our office at 800.637.8170. Our Ohio fatal teen car accident attorneys are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to serve you.