Teenagers can’t wait to get their driver’s licenses. This rite-of-passage is an exciting time in their lives and one that signals the start of freedom. However, motor vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of death in teenagers. Yet, some teenagers are at an increased risk for suffering injuries in car accidents simply because of the state they live in. Some states are just worse than others for teen drivers. Where are the best and worst states and where does Colorado rank?
WalletHub set out to uncover which states were the worst for teen drivers. They analyzed the teen-driving environment in all 50 states and used 23 key metrics when evaluating the states. These metrics ranged from teen driver fatalities to the average cost of car repairs. Where did Colorado rank?
Colorado came in as the 12th worst state for teen drivers. With an overall score of 47, the state ranked poorly in both safety and economic environment.
In 2017, 67 teens were killed in traffic accidents in Colorado. This was a 22 percent increase from the previous year and the highest since 2008. Many safety experts blame this increase on distracted driving and the use of cell phones behind the wheel. To encourage driver safety, Colorado increased awareness around their Graduated Driver Licensing program. The adherence to these graduated driving rules saves lives.
“Teens face the greatest risk of crashing during the first year of their license,” states CDOT Communications Manager Sam Cole. “One out of every five licensed 16-year-olds will be in a motor vehicle crash. For 16 to 17-year-olds, carrying just one passenger increases the crash risk by about 50 percent. That’s why it’s critical that teens follow the GDL laws starting from when they obtain their license.”
Best States for Teen Drivers
What were the best states for teen drivers? The top 10 best states for teen drivers were:
- New York
- Oregon
- Connecticut
- Alaska
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Texas
- Maryland
- New Jersey
How an Attorney Can Help
Getting into a car accident is scary and the legal process is complex. Without an attorney on your side, insurance companies don’t always offer you a fair settlement. They may deliberately offer you less than you deserve. They hope you will be stressed out enough to just take the settlement. They don’t want to pay you more than they need to.
This is how a Colorado Springs car accident attorney can help. Your attorney will be able to review your case and determine if the settlement is fair. They can negotiate a better settlement for you and one that takes into consideration all your injuries and damages you suffered.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a car accident in Colorado Springs, or anywhere in the state of Colorado, we can help. Our law firm is here to protect you after an accident. We can work with insurance companies to obtain maximum compensation for you.
Contact the aggressive and skilled car accident attorneys at the Green Law Firm, P.C. today by calling (719) 694-8515, or by filling out the contact form on this page, to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss your case.
