A person must be 14 years old to take driver’s education, 15 years old to obtain a learner’s permit, and 16 years old 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 teen driver car accident lawyer in Fort Worth, TX, could investigate your collision and help you seek compensation from the responsible party.
What Are the Rules for Novice Drivers?
Texas has several rules for novice drivers under the age of 18 before they can legally operate a vehicle. Before taking a driver’s test, applicants must complete 32 hours of classroom instruction or a parent–taught driver’s education program. They must also either have a high school diploma or equivalent or be currently enrolled in school. Schools in Texas must verify enrollment, and students must have been enrolled for at least 45 days before applying for a learner’s license.
If applying during the summer while still enrolled, a report card from the most recent school year may be used as proof. Drivers with a learner’s permit must have a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old seated in the front passenger seat and must hold the permit for at least six months unless they turn 18 earlier. Full driving privileges are granted at age 18.
Teen drivers are also restricted from using wireless or hands-free communication devices except in emergencies. They may not carry passengers under 21 who are not family members. If their license or permit is suspended, the six-month learner’s period is extended by the length of the suspension to ensure the driver holds a valid permit for the full required time.
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 Fort Worth attorney could further explain these requirements for teen drivers during a consultation.
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.
Steps to Take After An Accident
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.
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 using 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 at The Texas Law Dog who is compassionate with the accident victim and takes an aggressive approach to the party’s responsibility for their injuries. Contact a Fort Worth teen driver car accident lawyer to learn about your legal rights and options today.
