For most parents, there are only a few things that worry them more than watching their teenager driving a car on their own.  If you have a licensed teenage driver, you understand the worry that comes every time they set out alone in the car.

There’s a risk for all drivers on the road; however, the risk for teenage car accidents is greater. In this article, we go over how to handle your teenager’s first auto accident.

1. Make it to the scene

If possible, you should find a way to get to the accident scene while the investigation and clean-up are in progress. If you’re not in a position to, you should send a co-worker, close friend, neighbour, or relative.

Getting to the scene is essential for several reasons; first, it’ll offer emotional support for your teenager as they need it. Besides that, you’ll also act as a buffer from other individuals involved in the accident since not everyone will be understanding of your child’s mistake.

In addition, getting to the accident scene gives you a better understanding of what occurred. Your child’s emotions will be off the charts immediately after the accident. Consequently, they may fail to remember what transpired; seeing the scene can aid you in reconstructing the accident in your mind.

2. Give emotional support

When you receive the call that your teenager has been involved in an accident, ensure you relay to them that their safety is more important to you. This is important because teenagers can’t confront life challenges the way adults can.

Even though you may be tempted to start patronizing your child by blaming them for their actions, this is counterproductive as it won’t solve the problem. Your main goal after your teenager is in an accident is to reassure them that their safety comes first.

Reassuring your child will aid them in handling the situation better, and they’ll never fail to come to you when they get in trouble. The more you help your teenager deal with the stress of being in an accident, the more prepared they’ll be to handle car crashes in the future.

3. Understand the Parental Liability Act

The parent liability act is meant to encourage parental supervision and compensate victims of torts, and it applies when a child is between 10 to 18 years. Luckily for parents, there’s a cash limitation on this liability. The penalty is limited to $1000 for one victim and $2500 if there’s more than one victim.

Accidents fall under civil cases involving individuals asking for monetary compensation for damage to their cars. These cases are called civil cases because they’re non-criminal, and parents must financially compensate the party harmed by their child’s actions.

4. Ensure they get an accident report

Your teenager ought to know to alert the police when an accident occurs. Police reports are beneficial in the process of claiming insurance. It’s essential to note that reporting an accident doesn’t mean that police will arrive at the scene, especially if it’s a minor accident.

Most police departments are transitioning to online reporting instead of dedicating resources to the accident scene. If the police arrive at the scene, ensure your child notes the officer’s contact information, badge number, and name.

Once the police arrive at the scene, they’ll be able to control the scene, drive away traffic, and interview witnesses to the accident. You should also ensure that your child gets an accident report from the police.

If the police don’t come, they should request a copy of the report from law enforcement or the insurance adjuster handling their claim.

5. Contact the Auto Insurer

Your child should call the car insurance firm from the accident scene so that they can learn how to make a car insurance claim. Your teen will also have to trade insurance details with the other individual so the insurance firms can collaborate.

You should ensure that your child contacts the insurance company as early as possible so that their claim is processed as early as possible. They should ensure they act quickly so they can relay the details while it’s still fresh in their mind.

Whether they think it’s their fault, they should gather all contact details from witnesses, including their phone numbers and names. Your child must gather as much evidence to back up what happened to assist insurers in establishing who was at fault.

If the other driver accuses your child of causing the accident, your teen should inform them that they’ll leave the matter to both insurers to sort out.

6. Find a Car Repair Shop

If the vehicle is damaged, the insurer can suggest a local body shop, and they’ll liaise with the people there to get a quote. Alternatively, you can get a quote from sites such as DingGo.

The downside of going with the repair shop recommended by your insurance is that they usually have contracts that can impose strict budget limitations on the repairs. These budget limitations can compromise the quality of the repair since the shops can sometimes use non-OEM (Original Equipment Manufactured).

Help your child find the best repair shop by talking to family members and friends and establishing which ones have the best reviews. Then talk to these repair shops about the repairs for your car and get an estimate from each shop; however, you shouldn’t automatically select the lowest estimate.

Bottom line

Accidents are bound to happen with teenage drivers; however, well-prepared, involved guardians can mitigate the stress that comes with them. The essential thing after an accident is your child’s well-being; you can replace the car, but not your child.