Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C. Lawyer Says Summer Poses Risks for Teenage Drivers

Elevated summer fatality rates highlight road risks for not only teenage drivers, but also their passengers and other motorists, Pennsylvania auto accident attorney says.

Scranton, PA (PRWEB) July 01, 2011

School is out and the summer driving season is on. Unfortunately, with teen drivers freed from academic obligations, there are more opportunities for them to become involved in serious auto accidents, according to Pennsylvania personal injury attorney J. Christopher Munley.

“Crash statistics, including those from AAA, show that more teenagers die in car wrecks each month during the summer than in other seasons,” said Munley, managing partner of the Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C.

“That means teens and their parents should take extra precautions during the summer, as should everyone else on the road,” the Scranton car accident lawyer said.

Munley pointed out that the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is a busy travel season for everyone because more people take to the roads for vacations and weekend getaways, and the pleasant weather encourages more outings.

A recent AAA report revealed that, on average, 422 teens die in traffic accidents per month in June, July and August. The average is 363 per month during the other nine months of the year.

“There are more opportunities for kids to get into trouble on the roads during the summer because they don’t have homework and extracurricular activities to occupy them, and they are more likely to cruise around with friends later at night,” Munley said.

Unlike many other states, Pennsylvania has not recently updated its restrictions on young drivers. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, drivers with a junior license cannot operate a vehicle between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless an exception applies.

However, teens can carry as many passengers as there are seat belts in their vehicle. Other jurisdictions have limited the number of young passengers a teen driver can transport.

Having a group of teenagers in a car can lead to accidents, as can other distractions like texting, talking on a cell phone or focusing on an iPod or other electronic device, Munley said, adding that driving under the influence is another major concern for teen drivers in Pennsylvania.

“I agree with AAA that parents are the most important factor for lowering the number of teenagers killed or injured in accidents, as well as the number of other motorists who are hurt or killed by a negligent teen driver,” Munley said.

“It’s crucial that parents talk with their kids about being safe on the road and that they stay involved with their children’s driving habits. In my years of practicing as a Pennsylvania auto accident attorney, I’ve seen far too many tragedies that happened because an inexperienced driver pushed the limits and caused a serious car accident.”

According to Munley, “Teenagers are not only a danger to themselves when they drive irresponsibly, they are also putting their passengers and other motorists at risk.”

People who have been injured in a car crash caused by a negligent teenager’s driving need to seek legal help from a knowledgeable Pennsylvania auto accident attorney, Munley advised.

About Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C.

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm’s additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents.

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., has offices throughout Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Plains, Hazleton and Hamlin. To contact the law firm, call (800) 318-LAW1 or use the firm’s online form.

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Marita Paparelli
Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C.
570-983-3847
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