Getting your driver’s license is an exciting and important part of growing up; it’s a rite of passage. But those first few years of driving can be particularly dangerous, both for teen drivers and for others on the road. While teens must pass a written test and a driving test, and take a traffic law and substance abuse education course to obtain a license, there is still much to be learned about being a responsible driver. This lack of experience, and perhaps a lack of maturity, contributes to the high number of teen accidents—a number that is on the rise in Florida.

According to the most recent data from the Florida Crash Statistics Report, published each year by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there was a 10.9% increase in teen driver accidents in Florida when compared to the previous year — up from 32,610 accidents to 36,180 accidents.

Teen Driver Accidents in Tampa

For Tampa Bay in particular (Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties), the increase in teen driver accidents was lower than the statewide average — a 6.2% increase compared to the statewide increase of 10.9%. However, a county-by-county breakdown of teen driver accidents reveals some surprising data: while each county in Tampa Bay saw an increase in teen driver accidents, the percent of increase was notably larger in two counties.

  • Hernando County saw a 16.2% increase (from 229 to 266)
  • Hillsborough County saw a 1% increase (from 2,678 to 2,705)
  • Pasco County saw a 2.5% increase (from 777 to 796)
  • Pinellas County saw an 15.3% increase (from 1,611 to 1,857)

Regardless of where you live in Florida, the increase in teen driver accidents is cause for concern. Due to their lack of driving experience, teens are more likely to make mistakes on the road — mistakes that can cause major accidents and serious injuries. Teen drivers are also associated with negligent driving behaviors such as texting while driving. Unfortunately, some teens don’t realize what an important responsibility driving really is until it’s too late. If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a teen driver, contact a Tampa car accident attorney at the Capaz Law Firm. We can investigate the accident and help you get on the road to recovery.

Contact a Tampa Car Accident Attorney

At the Capaz Law Firm, we are committed to helping those who have been injured in car accidents in Tampa Bay and throughout Florida, including accidents caused by teen drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a teen driver, or your teen was injured as a passenger in a teen driver accident, contact our firm to speak with a Tampa car accident lawyer immediately. We will investigate the accident and do everything we can to help you recover. From helping you get medical treatment to filing an insurance claim, we can help you navigate the legal system and seek compensation for your injures. Call 813.440.2700 for a free consultation.