Minors are not able to file legal claims. If you get injured in a car accident and you’re under the age of 18, you do have options. Your Carrollton car accident lawyer can meet with your parents and see if they wish to file a lawsuit on your behalf. Of course, you may have a say in this. It all depends on your situation. The best thing to do is call our office and speak with one of our seasoned Atlanta car accident lawyers. They’ll make sure you’re treated fairly and not taken advantage of.
You Only Have to Be 16 to Get a Provisional Driver’s License
In Georgia, as in most other states, you can get your driver’s permit when you’re 15. It isn’t until you turn 16 that you qualify for your provisional license. After you drive with a provisional license for a period, you can finally sit for your license exam. You must be 18 in Georgia to get your full license. But your attorney understands that you could get into an accident while driving on your provisional license or while practicing driving with your permit. In fact, the more inexperienced you are, the higher the likelihood that you’ll get into a car crash. Until you’ve been driving for a while, you may not have the instinct that an experienced driver would have.
Your Parents May Have to Sue on Your Behalf
If an accident victim is under the age of 18, there’s a good chance their parents will have to sue on their behalf. The court does not allow minors to file a civil lawsuit. What your Georgia car accident lawyer can do is meet with all three of you and find out how you want to proceed. If you’re comfortable with your parents taking action on your behalf, then there’s no need to wait. If, for some reason, your parents are not available or you don’t want them named in the suit, you can wait until you reach the age of 18.
Your Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Can Get the Statute of Limitations Extended
The statute of limitations in Georgia is only two (2) years. However, if you are a minor at the time of your accident, your car accident lawyer may be able to get the deadline moved. One of the very few exceptions to the statute of limitations is age. If you’re a minor at the time of the accident, you can wait until you reach eighteen (18) to pursue the matter legally. Just keep in mind, your parents can file a claim on your behalf. Since you presumably will need the money to fix your car (or get a new one) you may not have to wait until you reach the age of majority.
Did You Have Insurance at the Time of the Crash?
It should go without saying, but your Carrollton car accident lawsuit will need to confirm that you have auto insurance. Once you’re of driving age, your parents will have to add you to their policy. You should also have your own policy, even if it just covers liability. Make sure you provide your attorney with your insurance information so they can reach out to the insurance adjuster. You also need to give your lawyer a copy of the police report. This will give them the information they need to contact the other driver’s insurance company.
Call an Experienced Carrollton Car Accident Lawyer
Nobody wants to get in a car accident right after they got their driver’s license. Not only is it embarrassing, but it can also be scary. Most adults are confused as to what to do after a car crash. It can be even more intimidating for a teenager. The good news is that a Carrollton car accident lawyer can help you file your claim. Your parents may decide to sue on your behalf. Or, if you insist, your attorney can get the filing deadline extended based on your age.
The only way to know what to do next is to meet with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer. Give our office a call so we can help you schedule your free, initial consultation. In the meantime, you need to take care of yourself. If you were injured, make sure you get the treatment you need. If your car was totaled, stay in close contact with your insurance company so you can get a replacement vehicle. Just know that the other driver will have an attorney working for them and you should too.
