US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that every year they fix around 1.7 million teen driver car crashes. These crashes lead to 7,600 teen deaths and 569,000 teen injuries annually. Teen driver car crashes is the most wide spread cause of young people�s injury and death in North America.
Taking into account the number of teens involved in car crashes it is very important for them to know what to do and how to behave in the event of a crash.
Gary Direnfeld, executive director of the I Promise Program says that even though they promote teen driver safety they recognize at the same time that teens will still be involved in crashes. That is why the aim of their information program is to decrease the risk of an already dangerous situation.
In this article we offer you a general guideline of what should a teen do in the event of a crash:
1. You should remain calm after impact an try to assess the situation. Examine yourself and the occupants if there are any to find the injuries. Then look at the road to see whether there is a risk for other vehicles or your car.
2. If you or someone needs the first aid render it in the event you are enough qualified for this. As soon as possible EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and local law enforcement agency should be called. In most regions you can just dial 911 on a mobile phone. If one of the occupants is seriously injured open the window in a car to allow fresh air. This can also help reduce the risk of shock.
3. There are different views on the question whether the driver should remove crashed car off the road or not. Some jurisdictions require and at the same time some prefer for the car to be left at place as this allows to investigate the place of an accident. Ask for advice on this matter your local law enforcement office. In any case you should follow safety considerations and good judgment and act depending on the situation on the road. These two factors should prevail.
4. You should set up road flares or other emergency signaling devices to inform other drivers about the hazard on the road. However you must check you car for spills and leaking fuel tanks before to set the flares. Set them in a safe distance from your car. It is recommended to set red reflective triangles instead of flares.
5. In the event the car crash happened in highly traffic area and you can�t leave the car you should fast yourself with the seat belt and remain inside. If you can leave your un-operational car do this and stay off the road a safe distance from the traffic.
6. When the crash scene is stabilized never discuss the event which has happened with other drivers. This can lead to arguments which can lead to unpredictable consequences taking into account highly charged atmosphere. In this situation is is better to exchange information regarding policy number, license plate number, phone and address, insurer, phone and address. Get the same information from witnesses. Remember you should find the witness who was not involved directly into the accident.
7. Help law enforcement personnel and EMS personnel in everything, cooperate with them. Give them all required information and follow all their instructions. The officer will put down facts of the accident and then this information will be used by the lawyer to assess fault and liability.
8. Inform your parents about the situation. Also tell them if you need some assistance. Calm them down as you can in order prevent them from making a scene.
9. The legislation regarding collisions differs depending on a region. To learn more about the specific laws in a certain area you should contact the local law enforcement agency.
Keep in mind that in any case you should act with a regard to personal safety and the safety of others.