As a parent, teaching your teenager how to drive can be a hair-raising experience. First, of course, they need to learn vehicle basics, like how to turn on the windshield wipers and the turn signal. From there, they need to practice driving in a safe spot, such as an empty parking lot. Once that becomes comfortable, they are ready for city streets and highways. Then, in what seems like a blink of an eye, your teen is finally read to drive on his or her own. You hope as they set off solo for the first time that they are safe. But it is important to remember that even the most cautious of teen drivers can still be involved in an accident. Would your teen know what to do if it were to happen to them? If you have not had this conversation with your teen yet, it is a good idea. Here are a few things to cover when talking to your teenage driver about what to do after an accident:
- Try to remain calm. It can be easy to become upset after an accident, even if it is just a minor fender bender. Let your child know that panicking or becoming angry will not help them in this type of situation. Stress to your teen the importance of remaining calm.
- Check for injuries. After an accident, the priority is safety. Determine if they or any of their passengers or persons in other vehicles suffered injuries. If anyone is hurt, it is important to call 911.
- Report the accident. Even if everyone involved is okay, the accident must still be reported to the police. Before calling the police, take note of your location. The dispatcher will ask about your whereabouts so he or she can send police and first responders. The dispatcher will also inquire as to injuries.
- Contact parents. Obviously, as a parent, you want your child to call you as soon as they can after an accident. As a parent, remember it is best for you remain calm as well and keep the focus on your teen’s well-being and helping them through this stressful situation.
- Exchange information with other drivers. While waiting for the police to arrive on the scene, instruct your child to obtain the following information from each driver: name, phone number, address, and insurance carrier. He or she also should determine if the driver is also the owner of the vehicle. If not, obtain the same general information regarding the owner as well. Often this information can be obtained quickly by snapping a photograph of the person’s driver’s license (if current) and insurance card.
- Document the scene. Before leaving the scene, tell your teen to document the accident. Instruct him or her to take notes about what happened as this information can easily be forgotten. Your teen should also write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. A cell phone camera is also useful to capture the scene at the time of the accident.
If your teen was injured after being involved in an automobile accident, it is important to speak with a skilled Kansas City Injury Attorney as soon as possible. Only an experienced Injury Attorney can review the facts of your case and determine whether another party is responsible for the injuries sustained and damages caused by the other driver. The attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P., have helped countless accident victims, in both Kansas and Missouri, obtain just compensation. Our compassionate team of attorneys will fight for your rights and hold the wrongdoers accountable. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.