Sadly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. 
Each day, approximately seven teenagers, ages 16 to 19, dies in a vehicle accident in the U.S., as young people are more likely to be involved in crashes. In addition to death, the CDC reported that 29 percent of the total costs for motor vehicle injury claims in the U.S. involve people between the ages of 15-24.
Young people are more likely to be involved in accidents for a number of reasons, including the fact that they are more likely to participate in dangerous activities, like distracted driving, drunk driving and/or reckless driving.
Unfortunately, on October 2, an accident on Route 9W in Stony Point left a teenager hospitalized with serious injuries, leading to the arrest of a 17-year-old driver.
According to the Rockland County Times, Sean M. Delgado, 17, was charged with driving while impaired, second-degree assault and third-degree assault following the crash that occurred on Route 9W, near Bayview Drive.
Delgado was reportedly driving a car northbound, when it left the roadway and struck a utility pole. Three people were inside Delgado’s vehicle at the time of the accident, with a 17-year-old being thrown from the car. According to the Times, the teen was taken to Nyack Hospital, and then transferred to Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla for treatment.
The other passengers were taken to Nyack Hospital for treatment. The accident remains under investigation.
Should I Talk to an Attorney If a Drunk Driver Injures Me?
If you have teenagers, you should talk to them about the dangers of drunk driving. In addition to criminal charges, if your teen is involved in a drunken driving accident that involves personal injuries or death, you can be held civilly liable.
Driving while under the influence is something that should be avoided. If a drunk driver has struck you, call our firm today, so that our personal injury attorneys may review your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation.
Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C. – Injury Lawyers
KGG’s Corner: In 2011, 25 percent of males age 15-20 involved in fatal crashes were under the influence of alcohol.