Sadly, as a Florida car and truck accident lawyer, I have represented families of teens killed in car accidents. Surprisingly, car crashes are the leading cause of death for Florida’s teens. Statistics show that teenaged drivers face the greatest risk of injury or death in their first year of driving. In fact, one out of every five licensed 16-year-old drivers in Florida will be involved in a serious traffic accident.

Our Broward County injury lawyers recommend that parents of teenaged drivers understand that Florida law requires a teen to spent a minimum of 50 hours behind the wheel of a car when the apply for a driver’s license. That means that either the parent or another responsible licensed adult must sit in the front passenger seat closest to the driver.

Florida law permits teens 15 years of age to apply for a Learner’s License. The are required to pass and complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Course, written test, vision test, hearing test and obtain a signed Parental Consent Form.

16-year-olds are only permitted to drive between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM. They may drive at any other time but must be accompanied by a licensed driver of greater than 21 years of age in the front passenger seat or be traveling to or from work.

17-year-olds are permitted to drive between 5:00 AM and 1:00 AM but must be accompanied by a licensed driver of greater than 21 years of age passenger seat at all times.

18-year-olds may obtain a fully privileged driver’s license in Florida.

As a Fort Lauderdale car wreck lawyers believe that that primary reason that teenaged drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents is that they simply do not understand the risks associated with driving their lack the hours of experience compared to more mature drivers. Teens are also more likely to be distracted by texting, passengers, talking on cellphones or other drivers. Studies show that teenaged brains are still developing which impacts the ability to make rational and safe decisions.