When you were learning how to drive, you likely felt a mix of excitement and nerves. After all, driving can be overwhelming, especially when considering the rules of the road. However, if you are involved in an accident caused by a student driver, you may be frustrated and angry. It is vital to stay calm and take the necessary precautions to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Keep reading to learn more about how to proceed and how a New York City car accident lawyer can help you.
What Steps Do I Take Following an Accident Caused By a Student Driver?
If you are injured by a student driver, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure your health and well-being. You should call emergency services as soon as possible to request a police presence and immediate medical attention. Even if the injuries sustained seem minor, ensuring a professional assesses and treats the wounds as soon as possible is vital to staying healthy.
Once you’ve received medical care, you’ll want to take photos and videos of the accident scene. You must also speak with the student driver and the instructor to exchange insurance information. You should get the details of the driver’s and driving school’s insurance. Avoid saying anything that can be misconstrued as taking accountability for the accident, like apologizing. Unfortunately, this can be held against you later.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
In general, there are three different parties that can be found liable for the damages caused by a student driver. This includes the young driver, the instructor, and the driving school.
It’s no secret that student drivers will make mistakes when learning to operate a vehicle. However, some mistakes, like causing accidents, are more severe than others. Though you may feel bad or hesitant about holding a teenager responsible for the injuries, it’s essential to ensure you can receive the proper compensation for the damages you endured.
Along with the driver, the instructor in the vehicle can also be held responsible for injuries they inflict. Despite the fact that the instructor is not in physical control of the car, they must stay alert to the driver’s behavior. If the young driver is operating the vehicle recklessly, it is the instructor’s responsibility to prevent an accident to the best of their ability.
You can also pursue damages against the school if they were found responsible for the carelessness of the instructor. For example, if they hired someone unqualified, did not provide proper training, or failed to perform the necessary maintenance on the vehicles they use to teach students, you may be able to recover damages from the school.
When you need legal representation, Mirza Law is ready to help. Our dedicated legal team will carefully examine every aspect of your case to fight for the compensation you deserve due to another party’s negligence. Contact our law office today to learn more about how we can help you through this time.