Parents may have good reason for concern if their children ride in automobiles driven by peers. Recently, an 18-year-old driver from Queens, New York, lost his life from crashing into a tree after veering off a highway in Long Island, and as if that were not tragic enough, the young driver was also carrying three passengers, ranging in age from 15 to 19. The 19-year-old male suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and for which he received treatment. However, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl who were also riding in the vehicle required transportation to the hospital for critical injuries.

There was, in fact, another individual involved in the crash. Before allegedly losing control of his car, the young driver reportedly made contact with another vehicle. Authorities report that the other driver sustained no injury in the crash but released no further identifying information regarding the individual, including whether or not the other driver’s uninjured status required a medical evaluation to confirm.

At this time, authorities request that any witnesses to the accident get in contact with law enforcement by phone to provide any pertinent information, as an investigation into the crash is still ongoing.

Sooner or later, parents must accept that their teenage children will have to drive themselves and/or ride in cars driven by others. However, it can be difficult to know when adolescents are ready to make that step. In the event that a teenager does become injured in a car accident caused by a peer, it may be helpful for parents to seek the advice of an attorney.