Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers is proud to serve Boston and communities across Massachusetts with trusted personal injury representation. Teen drivers face unique risks on the road — and unfortunately, their inexperience and poor judgment often lead to serious accidents. According to the CDC, drivers aged 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers over 20 to be involved in a fatal crash.

When a teenager causes a car accident, the question becomes: who is legally responsible for the damages? The answer often depends on Massachusetts law regarding parental liability, insurance coverage, and negligence.

Why Teen Drivers Pose a Higher Risk

While many young drivers are responsible, several factors make teens more likely to cause accidents:

Inexperience: Limited time behind the wheel means slower reaction times.
Distracted driving: Cell phones, passengers, and music are frequent distractions.
Reckless behavior: Speeding, tailgating, and failing to yield are common among new drivers.
Night driving: Lack of visibility and fatigue make late-night crashes more likely.

Busy Boston intersections such as Kenmore Square, Commonwealth Avenue, and Route 1 near Saugus see frequent accidents involving young, inexperienced drivers.

Parental Liability in Massachusetts

Massachusetts law generally holds drivers themselves responsible for their negligence, regardless of age. However, parents may be liable under certain circumstances:

Vicarious liability: If a parent owns the vehicle their teen was driving, they may be held financially responsible.
Negligent entrustment: If parents knowingly allowed an inexperienced, reckless, or unlicensed teen to drive, they can be sued for negligence.
Insurance coverage: Most parents’ auto insurance policies cover household members, including teens, meaning victims can pursue compensation through the family’s policy.

Massachusetts Insurance and Teen Drivers

Insurance plays a central role in determining how accident victims recover compensation. In Massachusetts:

Parents must list their teen drivers on their policy.
Liability coverage applies to crashes caused by household members, including teens.
Victims may also pursue uninsured/underinsured motorist claims if the teen’s coverage is insufficient.

This system ensures that injured parties can still recover damages, even if the driver is a minor.

Proving Fault in a Teen Driver Accident

Even when a crash involves a teen, the same legal standards apply as with any other driver. At Sweeney Merrigan, our attorneys gather evidence to establish negligence, including:

Police reports from the Boston Police Department or Massachusetts State Police
Witness statements
Traffic camera or dashcam footage
Cell phone records showing distracted driving
Accident reconstruction expert testimony

This evidence allows us to demonstrate liability clearly, whether the negligent driver was 17 or 47.

Injured by a teen driver? Call Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers in Boston today for your free consultation.

Compensation Available to Victims

Victims of teen driver accidents may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical expenses and rehabilitation
Lost wages and reduced earning potential
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death damages in fatal cases

The financial toll of these accidents can be immense, particularly when catastrophic injuries occur.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize claims involving teen drivers, arguing that injuries are exaggerated or that victims shared fault. Without strong representation, injured parties may be left with inadequate settlements.

At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience handling car accidents, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases across Massachusetts. We understand how to hold families, insurers, and negligent drivers accountable while ensuring victims get the compensation they deserve.

You don’t have to face this process alone. Get a trusted Boston injury team on your side — reach out to Sweeney Merrigan today.

Taking the Next Step After a Teen Driver Accident

If you or a loved one were injured in a crash caused by a teen driver, you have legal options. Whether the accident happened on the Mass Pike, Storrow Drive, or a neighborhood street in Dorchester or Brookline, Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help.

No matter where you are in your recovery, the right legal support can make all the difference. Call Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation — and take your next step toward justice.