Getting into a car accident is stressful for any adult. However, this experience can be particularly hard on teens. Even if you are paying the medical bills, your teenager is likely dealing with insurance companies for the first time and could potentially face a lawsuit from the other party.
As a parent, you can guide your teen through this process. Follow these steps after a car accident to make sure your property damage and hospital bills are covered.
Talk to a lawyer.
No matter how small the accident seems, you will want to talk with an attorney. A personal injury lawyer can be a lifeline for you and your teen during this time. They know how to work with insurance companies and can guide you through the next steps in your case.
Talking to a personal injury lawyer is important regardless of who is to blame for the crash. Even if your teen is deemed to be at fault, they still deserve to have their medical care covered by their car insurance policy. According to the experienced law practitioners at 1-800-Injured, make sure you work with a law firm you can trust. Make an appointment with an injury lawyer or relevant attorney in your area who will listen to you. Make sure you work with a law firm you can trust. Make an appointment with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer or relevant attorney in your area who will listen to you.
Walk your teen through each step.
This may be your teen’s first crash as a driver, but it might not be their last. The average driver will get into an accident about once every 17.9 years. While some people will get into accidents less frequently, others will go through this process once every decade or so.
Despite the stress, this can be a teachable moment for your teen. You can walk them through what happens during a crash and how to resolve any issues following the accident. Approach your teen with compassion and lead by example. This way, they will be familiar with the process if they are in an accident again.
Seek out therapy for the crash.
Most adolescents only have a few months of driving experience. It’s this lack of experience that contributes to so many teen auto accidents. However, because driving is new, your teen might not feel safe getting behind the wheel again. They might worry about causing another crash or could have lingering trauma from another driver hitting them.
Look into teen counseling to guide them through this difficult time. A licensed psychiatrist can help your teen work through their emotions and voice their concerns about getting back in the car. When the time is right, they can start driving again and feel confident navigating the roadways. Search for teen counseling near me to find a qualified therapist and set up your first session.
Make sure they learn from the experience.
It’s possible to learn from almost any accident, even if your teen isn’t the one at fault. As tour teen starts to heal and the car gets repaired, walk them through the crash and discuss what they can learn for next time.
If the crash was text message-related, you may want to ban phone use in the car. If the weather played a factor, then your teen might need a refresher lesson on how to drive in the rain or on snow. In the short term, you may need to revoke certain privileges, like driving with friends or taking the car at night. You can’t prevent every crash, but you can help your team learn from their mistakes so they are safer in the future.
Getting into a car accident can take a physical and mental toll on your teen. As they heal physically, make sure you look out for their mental health. Focus on getting better while a qualified law firm handles the paperwork related to the crash.
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