DRUNK DRIVER TEENAGER CAR ACCIDENT INJURY – MN LAWYERS
Wright County District Court Judge Steve Halsey recently wrote in a blog post about overwhelming anguish and sorrow. He was discussing a criminal hearing involving a victim killed by a teenage drunk driver. In addition, the driver’s family was also devastated by the consequences to their child. Our top car accident lawyers represent people in cases against teenage drivers who are drunk or texting while driving.
The judge noted that teenagers in Minnesota are just 8 percent of licensed drivers, but account for 14 percent of auto collisions. Nationwide, one in five teen drivers is involved in a car accident. Here are some frightening statistics:
- 16.4 percent of Minnesota car crashes involve teenagers.
- Most teen crashes are between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., to and from school.
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths.
- Risk of driver death increases greatly with 2 or more passengers (triples with three passengers).
- 31 teens died in “teen involved” car accidents.
TEENAGE DRIVER MN LAWS
In 2008, Minnesota adopted limits on nighttime driving hours and numbers of passengers for teenage drivers:
- For the first six months of licensure, no driving midnight to 5 a.m.
- Also, for the first six months, only one passenger under age 20 unless an adult is present.
- For the second six months, no more than three passengers under 20 unless an adult is present.
- No driver under age 18 may use a cell phone while driving.
- All drivers are prohibited from text messaging or accessing the internet while driving.
The consequences of a non-DWI traffic violation for a teenage driver range from a small fine or community work service to a brief loss of license.
The consequences of an “underage drinking and driving offence” (under age 21 and less than .08 blood alcohol) include loss of license. There is also a greater fine, jail time if over 18 and probation for one year. In addition, for a DWI conviction (over .08) there may be a loss of license for 90-180 days. Collateral consequences, of course, include higher auto insurance rates. An adult (18-19 years old) teenage driver involved in an automobile fatality faces possible prison time of up to 48 months and a lifetime of anguish.
A very serious consequence that most parents do not realize is the forfeiture of the motor vehicle if the driver has a BAC of .16 or greater. By law it is presumed the parent was aware of the teen driver’s alcohol problem.
CAR ACCIDENT INJURY LAWYERS MN
If you have been injured in a car crash by a teenage drunk driver, please call us and speak with a top lawyer for a free consultation. Pam Rochlin and David Rochlin are top Minnesota car accident lawyers with over 25 years’ experience. We have represented hundreds of people in car accident cases throughout Minnesota. Pam is a former partner with Meshbesher and Spence. She was also the 2015 president of MN Women lawyers – an organization with over 1300 members.
We are tough, experienced, and we get results for our clients. Our lawyers can meet you to discuss your car accident injury case at our offices in Edina, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, or Woodbury. The primary focus of our lawyers is to make sure you and your family are fully compensated by the teen’s auto insurance who was driving drunk. A lawyer will also come to your home if you have been injured by a teenager driving drunk in St. Paul MN, Anoka, Forest Lake, Chaska, and Chanhassen. We also come to Albert Lea, Mankato, St. Cloud, Bloomington MN, Eagan, Maple Grove, and other cities throughout Minnesota.