Fatal car accidents can happen in any age group. In fact, elderly individuals have a slightly increasing fatal accident rate compared to some younger drivers. Much of the reason for this is an increased level of frailty, however, simply meaning that an older person is more likely to pass away from injuries that may have been survivable for someone in their 20s or 30s.
That being said, the highest fatal accident rate belongs to teenagers. This does not mean they have the highest totals. But teen drivers only encompass those from 16 to 19 years old, so it is a very small age group. When you consider how few drivers there are on the road who fit into this age bracket, they cause a disproportionate number of fatal crashes.
Why does this happen?
There are many specific reasons why these accidents happen. Some teenagers engage in dangerous activities like tailgating or racing. Others get distracted by their cell phones or by friends who are in the car with them. Still others may cause accidents after they’ve been using alcohol or other substances. Every situation is unique.
In many cases, though, the root cause is that young drivers are inexperienced. This leads to mistakes like following too closely or driving too fast for conditions. The fatality rate declines as drivers move through their 20s and 30s, showing that they are gaining experience and becoming safer drivers. But there will always be more younger drivers coming up behind them who still have high fatality rates.
Have you lost a loved one in an accident caused by one of these drivers? Make sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills, funeral costs and more.