Understanding Houston Car Accidents Caused by Teen Drivers

Our Houston car accident lawyers explain the legal options for injury victims

Young drivers in Houston and throughout Texas often cause serious car accidents. In fact, certain teen drivers in Texas cause the most accidents of any age group in the state. Why is that the case? Do teen drivers cause certain types of accidents more than others? And what legal options are available to injury victims after a teen driver accident?

Our Houston car accident lawyers at Smith & Hassler explain what to know and how the system works when it comes to teen driver accidents in Texas. If you have a question about your collision caused by a teen driver, contact our law firm and schedule a free case evaluation with a Houston car accident attorney you can trust.

How common are teen driver accidents in Texas?

Sadly, car accidents caused by teen drivers in Texas are very common. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 years old often cause a significant number of car accidents. According to the most recent Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT) data, teen drivers in Texas caused the following number of accidents in 2023:

16-year-old drivers – 12,159 accidents resulting in 1,887 injuries and 54 fatalities.
17-year-old drivers – 18,611 accidents, 2,923 injuries and 102 fatalities.
18-year-old drivers – 25,358 accidents, 4,013 injuries and 119 fatalities.
19-year-old drivers – 26,876 accidents, 4,396 injuries and 165 fatalities.

Are teen drivers more dangerous than older drivers in Texas?

The short answer? Yes. Teen drivers statistically cause more car crashes than many other age groups in Texas. Using accident data from 2023, for example, 19-year-old drivers in Texas caused the most collisions in the state that year than drivers of any other age.

After 19-year-olds, all the other most dangerous ages for accidents caused by drivers in Texas involve younger drivers. Specifically, there are eighteen driver age years in 2023 in which drivers caused more than 20,000 accidents in Texas. All of those occurred among drivers ages 18 to 35 years old. And the top five ages for the most dangerous drivers in Texas in 2023 were on the younger end:

19-year-old drivers – 26,876 accidents
20-year-old drivers – 26,756 accidents.
21-year-old drivers – 26,691 accidents.
22-year-old drivers – 26,708 accidents.
23-year-old drivers – 26,535 accidents.

What are common causes of teen driver accidents?

Collisions caused by teen drivers often occur for several specific reasons. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the most common causes include:

Drunk driving – Even though teens are not old enough to legally drink, 29 percent of drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 years old who died in car accidents had been drinking alcohol prior to the accident.
Speeding – Drivers 16 to 19 years old have more fatal speeding accidents than drivers of all other ages, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
Driver inexperience – Teen drivers lack experience behind the wheel. As a result, they often don’t accurately judge potentially dangerous and hazardous situations, resulting in serious accidents.
Drowsy driving – Teen drivers are often tired late at night and early in the morning and cause serious car accidents.
Distracted driving – Many teens cause car accidents because they’re not focused on driving due to texting while driving, talking with passengers and other distractions.

Are certain times more dangerous for teen drivers?

Yes. Certain times of the day, certain days and even specific times of the year are more dangerous for teen drivers and have a higher number of teen driving accidents. According to the National Safety Council (NSC) and the IIHS, teen driving accidents occur most often during these times:

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, known as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.
October is the single deadliest month for teen driving accidents – 10 percent of all teen driving fatalities occur each October.
Saturdays and Sundays are the deadliest days of the week year-round for teen driving accidents – 19 percent of teen driver deaths occur on Sundays and 18 percent occur on Saturdays.
Between 6 pm and midnight any day of the week has the highest number of car accidents caused by teen drivers.

Vehicle passengers and their impact on teen driver accidents

Another interesting fact about car crashes caused by teens – the more teenage passengers there are in the vehicle, the more likely a teen driver will cause an accident. According to a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

One teen passenger increases the likelihood of a teen driver causing an accident by 44 percent.
A second teen passenger doubles the chances of a teen driver causing a collision.
A third teen passenger quadruples the odds of a teen driver causing an accident.

Who’s responsible for paying for teen driver accidents in Texas?

In Texas, the responsibility for damages (the legal term for financial compensation awarded to injury victims) in a car accident involving a teen driver generally falls under the legal concept of vicarious liability and the state’s financial responsibility laws. Several parties may share responsibility for paying for accident-related expenses, including:

The teen driver’s insurance policy: Texas law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, which includes $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (Texas Transportation Code § 601.072). If the teen driver has their own policy, that policy will typically pay for damages up to the coverage limits.
The parent or guardian’s insurance: Many parents add their teen drivers to their family auto insurance policy. If the teen is listed on the policy, the family’s insurance will generally cover damages caused by the teen’s negligence. In some cases, if the teen is not explicitly listed, but is a member of the household, the parent’s policy may still apply.
Parental responsibility and liability: Texas also holds parents accountable under Texas Family Code § 41.001. Parents can be held financially responsible for property damage or personal injury caused by their minor child (under 18) if the injury results from negligent or reckless driving. This makes it crucial for parents to monitor their teen’s driving habits and ensure adequate insurance coverage.
Third-party insurance: If another driver or a vehicle malfunction contributed to the accident, that party’s insurance might also cover a portion of the damages. Similarly, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage from either the teen’s or the other driver’s policy may provide compensation if the other party lacks sufficient insurance.

When a teen driver causes an accident, victims can file claims with the appropriate insurer to recover medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. In cases where insurance companies dispute liability or deny claims, consulting a Houston car accident attorney can help protect your rights and make sure you give your case the best opportunity for success.

What if I was partially at fault for causing a collision caused by a teen driver?

This is important since the amount of money you receive could be reduced based on your percentage of fault in the collision. This is because Texas’ car insurance system is based on a modified comparative fault standard.

According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, an injury victim’s compensation in a car crash will be reduced based the degree of fault assigned to each party, provided that the injury victim is 50 percent or less at fault for causing the collision.

For example, if a Houston teen driver caused your accident and your accident-related expenses add up to $100,000, you would only receive $70,000 for your crash if accident investigators determine you were 30 percent at fault for causing the collision.

What if I was a passenger injured in a crash caused by a teen driver?

If you were injured as a passenger in a crash caused by a teen driver in Texas, you have several legal options to consider for getting the money you deserve for your accident-related expenses. As a passenger, you are rarely considered at fault, which simplifies your ability to seek compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your specific crash, your options often include:

Filing a claim with the teen driver’s insurance: The first step is to file a claim with the at-fault teen’s auto insurance. Texas law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage caused to others. The minimum liability coverage in Texas includes $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident (Texas Transportation Code § 601.072).
Using your own insurance coverage: If the teen driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your expenses, you can turn to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) under your own auto insurance policy. These policies provide coverage regardless of who caused the accident and can help with medical expenses and lost wages.
Filing a claim against the parents’ policy: If the teen driver is listed under their parent’s insurance policy, you can pursue compensation through the family’s auto insurance coverage. In cases where the parents are not adequately insured, you may need to explore legal options, such as filing a car accident lawsuit. Texas Family Code § 41.001 holds parents accountable for damages (financial compensation and losses) caused by their minor child’s negligence.

If an insurance company disputes your claim or you receive a lowball settlement offer, talk to a Texas attorney right away. An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance adjusters or file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf to recover fair compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any lost income.

Can I sue the teenager who caused my Houston car accident?

Yes, you can take legal action against a teenage driver in Houston if their reckless or negligent behavior caused your car accident. But there are often additional factors to consider in such cases. Since most teenage drivers in Texas are minors, car accident lawsuits often involve their parents or guardians. Texas law recognizes that minors may not have the financial means to pay for damages, so vicarious liability laws apply. Under Texas Family Code § 41.001, parents or guardians may be held financially responsible for damages caused by their child’s negligence, up to certain limits.

In most cases, you will file an insurance claim with the teenage driver’s auto insurance policy. If the driver is listed under a family policy, that coverage can provide compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, if insurance does not fully cover all the costs associated with your crash, you may consider filing a lawsuit against the teenager and their parents to recover additional compensation.

If the teen’s reckless behavior, such as driving under the influence or distracted driving, caused the accident, you could also seek punitive damages to hold the driver accountable for their conduct. A Houston car accident lawyer can help determine whether a lawsuit is the best course of action based on the available insurance coverage and the circumstances of the accident.

How much is my teen car accident worth?

There’s no set dollar amount that insurance companies or anyone else uses when determining the value of your teen car accident settlement claim or jury verdict. Each case is different. As a result, your accident could be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more.

The most important thing is that you receive financial compensation for all past, current and future accident-related expenses. Such expenses can include:

The cost of all medical care related to your accident, including future anticipated medical treatments.
Replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your crash.
Future lost income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability sustained in the accident.
Vehicle repairs or the cost of buying a new car if yours was totaled in the accident.
Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Punitive damages if the accident involved gross negligence. For example, the teenager who caused your crash may have been drunk or high on drugs at the time of the collision.

How can a Houston car accident lawyer help with a teen driver accident?

A Houston car accident attorney can play a critical role in helping you demand the compensation you deserve after an accident caused by a teen driver. These cases often involve complex legal issues, such as insurance coverage disputes, parental liability and comparative fault. A lawyer can help by:

Investigating the accident and gathering evidence: Attorneys can collect police reports, interview witnesses, and review traffic camera footage to establish fault. Given Texas’s comparative negligence laws under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, minimizing any assigned fault can significantly impact compensation.
Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts, especially in accidents involving young drivers. A lawyer can handle all communications and negotiate on your behalf to seek a fair settlement that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. If the teenager was listed under their parents’ insurance, the attorney ensures the policy provides adequate compensation.
Filing a lawsuit if necessary: If the at-fault driver’s insurance starts playing games, your lawyer can pursue a lawsuit against the teen or their parents. In cases where the teen exhibited reckless behavior – such as texting while driving or driving under the influence – your attorney may seek punitive damages to hold the driver accountable.
Exploring all avenues for compensation: A lawyer can determine whether uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or other policies apply. They may also advise on whether parents or guardians should be held liable under Texas Family Code § 41.001 for their child’s negligence.

Our experienced Houston car accident lawyers know exactly what to do in such situations. That’s because we’ve been handling complex car accident cases in Houston and across Texas for years. Our case results prove it, including $537,000 awarded to a car accident injury victim represented by our law firm.

Get a Houston lawyer who will fight for you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Houston car accident attorney who will take your case seriously. We can answer your questions, explain your options and help you demand the compensation you deserve to get your life back on track.

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