A person must be 14 years old to take driver’s education, 15 years old to obtain a learner’s permit and 16 to be eligible for a license in Fort Worth. Teens more likely to be involved in car accidents than other drivers in Fort Worth due to driver inexperience, distracted driving, drinking and driving, and reckless driving.
If your teenage driver has been injured in a motor vehicle collision, a skilled car accident lawyer in your area could help your case. A Fort Worth teen driver car accident lawyer could investigate your collision and help you seek compensation from the responsible party.
What Are the Rules for Novice Drivers?
There are a few rules for novice drivers, anyone under the age of 18 before they are able to legally operate a vehicle. Before taking a driver’s test, a person must complete 32 hours of classroom time or parent-taught driver’s education. They must have obtained either a high school diploma or equivalent or be enrolled in school. In Texas, the school is required to sign a form to prove that the person is enrolled in school. They have to have been enrolled for 45 days prior to the application for a learner’s license.
If they apply during the summer months and are still enrolled in school, their last report card from the most recent school year is acceptable. They must have a licensed adult, 21 years old or older, in the front passenger’s seat when driving with a learner’s permit and must hold this license for at least six months or unless they turn 18. A person will be granted full driving privileges when they turn 18.
They are restricted from using wireless communication devices and hands-free devices except in the case of an emergency. They are not allowed to have anyone under the age of 21 in the vehicle who is not a family member. If their license or learner’s permit is suspended at any time, the initial six-month period increases by the number of days of the suspension, so it makes sure that they hold a valid learner’s license for a full six months.
Hardship License
There is an exception that might enable a person to begin driving earlier. A hardship license may be issued under certain instances where it has been established that there is a necessity to drive, and the applicant is under 16 years of age. A hardship license applicant must complete all regular licensing requirements like driver’s ed and testing with the exception of holding a learner’s license for six months. They must be at least 15 years old to get a hardship license, and the hardship license expires on the applicant’s next birthday when they would be eligible for an actual driver’s license. A knowledgeable Fort Worth attorney could further explain these requirements for teen drivers during a consultation.
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Steps to Prevent an Accident
Parents can help prevent their teen from becoming involved in a car accident by talking to them about the risks, safety, and liability. They should teach them that looking down at a text message and running a light can severely injure someone. They should practice driving with them past the required number of hours, invoke rules, and abide by them. They should teach them by setting an example of not using their own cellphone while driving.
What Are the Steps to Take After a Collision?
As preparation in the event that they are involved in a car accident, a parent should tell their teenage child to call 911. If they have been in an accident or injured, they should have all their emergency contacts, such as their parents’ numbers, in the glove box. They should gather information from the other party, including name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Additionally, they should gather witnesses’ names and contact information. They should also take pictures of the scene and the automobiles involved.
Following a collision, parents should then take their teen driving accident case to a Fort Worth lawyer. Our team could explain their legal rights and options for recovering compensation for damages.
Fort Worth Teen Driver Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Laws Affecting Insurance Claims
A car accident case plays out differently when the driver is under 18 than it would in normal circumstances. If the driver is under 18, a lawsuit or a claim would be filed against the driver’s parent or legal guardian. The statute of limitations does not start until the teenager turns 18 because they are technically a minor.
Fort Worth’s teen driving laws affect insurance claims when there is an accident. There is a potential to pursue a negligent entrustment claim against the parents of the teen driver who was allowed to violate any Texas teen driving laws like the curfew or number of minors in the vehicle.
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Seek Help from a Fort Worth Teen Driver Car Accident Attorney
Common fact patterns associated with teen driving accident scenarios in Fort Worth include driver inattention such as texting, talking, and social media. Driver inexperience can also cause accidents, due to a lack of time on the road and dealing with the potential hazards of driving.
After their teen has been injured in a car accident, families should look for an attorney who is compassionate with the accident victim and takes an aggressive approach to the party’s responsibility for their injuries. Speak to a Fort Worth teen driver car accident lawyer to learn about your legal rights and options today.
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