From offering three-point-turn advice from the passenger seat to lecturing your high-school senior on the dangers of texting and driving, you’ve done your part to minimize the risk of road collisions. Inevitably, most parents will cringe at the mere thought of their reckless (and somewhat impulsive) 16-year-old behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, even after logging 40-50 hours of practice. Even with defensive driving knowledge in their mental glove compartments, young drivers are still exposed to the risks of inexperience, drunk and drowsy driving, and distracted driving, making them susceptible to motor vehicle accidents even despite their best efforts.
An accident can be life-altering and traumatic for both parent and child, but there are ways to work through and even mitigate physical, emotional, and financial struggles. If your teenager is involved in an automobile accident, there are a few steps you can take to support them during the aftermath.
Consider filing a personal injury lawsuit
Those involved in automobile accidents may suffer from any number of physical injuries, the most common being bruising, whiplash, neck and back injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal bleeding. If the compensation for physical injuries offered by the insurance is inadequate, one might consider filing a personal injury lawsuit.
By recovering the financial resources lost on medical expenses, unearned wages, etc., the victims in question can zero in on nursing their physical and emotional wounds. Suppose personal injury or financial loss occurs due to an automobile accident caused by reckless or negligent driving. In that case, the victim can file a personal injury lawsuit to receive compensation by a jury. Partnering with injury attorneys in New York City can grant concerned parents the freedom to focus on caretaking tasks and emotionally coach their teenagers through these trying times.
Call your insurance company with your teenager
Following the accident, you should call your car insurance company as soon as possible. Insurance companies need to know the details of the accident, whether it’s necessary to total or repair the vehicle, and if your teen who was at the scene of the accident is likely to provide information not initially disclosed. Talking to your insurance company with your teenager in attendance is an opportunity for a much-needed life lesson.
Rationally work through what happened
Talking through the details of an accident is a crucial part of psychological recovery. Addressing the situation in a realistic, matter-of-fact way helps the victim rationalize what happened and challenges overdramatic “what if” scenarios and overwhelming fear.
Support your teen emotionally
There are ways to communicate with your teenager that support their emotional healing after an automobile accident. In some cases, parents may need to re-evaluate and alter their parenting style to accommodate their teenager’s needs.
Though pushing your ego aside and suppressing residual anger or disappointment may pose a challenge, focusing on the positives surrounding the accident and expressing gratitude for what didn’t happen at the scene can help combat any unproductive or pessimistic states-of-mind. As a final insider tip, it’s also important to emphasize the word accident, and assure your teenager that they do not need to blame themselves.
Use the opportunity to instill safe driving habits
It is easy for teenagers to get too comfortable behind the wheel and slack on defensive driving. Fortunately, an emotionally and physically-rattling motor vehicle accident can put these blase attitudes in check and remind young drivers they aren’t invincible (despite their initial impressions).
Remember, despite the tragic nature of an automobile accident, the opportunities to pass on invaluable lessons are plentiful. Therefore, parents should take this opportunity to teach, or at least re-teach, safe driving and reiterate the importance of responsibility while driving.
Get them back on the road
Though a car accident can discourage nervous drivers from returning to their bumper-to-bumper commutes, helping your teenager start driving again helps them overcome their fears, work through their trauma, and re-establish their routines. Sitting in the passenger seat while they navigate busy city streets and crowded intersections is a great way to reassure and bond with your teenager.
