Chances are if you live in Memphis or the Mid-South area you know someone who has been deeply affected by a teen driving accident. So it may come as no surprise that we have a higher teen death rate on the road than other major metro areas.
A CDC report from 2009 shows some of the most current information we have on this tragic problem. In the Mid-South, approximately 40 young people age 15-24 die from motor vehicle crashes every year. That’s 22 out of every 100,000 people their age.
The rate of teen death in Memphis and the surrounding area is much higher than most major metro areas. It’s more than double the rate of car-heavy cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. In fact, the CDC’s figures show only three cities with a higher rate than in the Mid-South – and one of them is in Tennessee, too: Birmingham, Jacksonville, and the Nashville area.
The rates for young people in the Mid-South are high, but sadly the percentages aren’t much higher than that for adults: 22 deaths per 100,000 vs. 17.8 per 100,000. That means this terrible problem isn’t just the fault of youth.
While the report doesn’t state the causes of teen crashes, we are all well aware that young drivers can sometimes take fewer precautions behind the wheel, like texting while driving or goofing off with friends. But as car accident attorneys in the Memphis area, we see many other causes like drunk driving and irresponsible commercial vehicle use as well. An experienced car accident lawyer Memphis, TN trusts from our firm can help you and your family get the compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys help injured young people and their loved ones get compensation after crashes that could have been avoided. Contact us today to speak with a lawyer for free about your case.