Teen Driver Accident Lawyer in Massachusetts

Teen Driver Accidents in Massachusetts

Teen drivers are statistically the most dangerous group on American roads, with crash rates significantly higher than experienced adult drivers. Limited driving experience, developing risk assessment skills, greater susceptibility to distraction, and tendency toward peer pressure and thrill-seeking behavior all contribute to this elevated risk. When a teen driver’s inexperience or negligence causes an accident that injures you, Massachusetts law provides a path to full compensation. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey represents teen driver accident victims throughout Massachusetts.

Parental Liability for Teen Driver Accidents

In Massachusetts, parents or guardians who sign a minor’s driver’s license application may bear liability for damages caused by that minor’s negligent driving under the family purpose doctrine and signing liability provisions. Additionally, a parent who knows their teen driver has a history of dangerous driving behavior and continues to permit access to a vehicle may be independently liable for negligent entrustment. Attorney Lavey evaluates parental liability as a potential source of recovery in every teen driver accident case.

The Supervising Driver and Restricted License Violations

Massachusetts law restricts teen drivers operating under a junior operator’s license in several important ways: limits on the number of passengers, restrictions on nighttime driving, and requirements for licensed adult supervision in some circumstances. A teen driver who violates these restrictions, for example, by driving late at night or with a car full of teenage passengers in violation of the law, is per se negligent. The supervising adult who permitted or was aware of the violation may share liability.

Vehicle Owner Liability

In Massachusetts, the owner of a vehicle who permits another person to operate it is generally responsible for that operator’s negligence through the permissive use doctrine. A parent who owns the vehicle their teen was driving when the accident occurred is typically liable both as a parent and as the vehicle’s owner. This dual basis for liability strengthens the claim and ensures both the parent’s personal insurance and the vehicle owner’s insurance apply.

Distraction and Cell Phone Use Among Teen Drivers

Cell phone use while driving is particularly prevalent among teen drivers and particularly dangerous given their already-limited driving experience. A teen driver who was texting, using a social media app, or otherwise distracted by their phone when the accident occurred is negligent, and that negligence may be provable through cell phone records. Attorney Lavey subpoenas phone records in every case where teen driver distraction may have played a role.

Frequently Asked Questions