Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

There are a number of things to consider when a teenager gets ready to purchase their first car. On top of the priority list is vehicle safety in hopes of reducing the risk of injury if your teen is involved in an Illinois car accident.

Other things that should be given extensive thought include: who is going to pay for the car, is your teen mature enough to have their own car to drive, how can insurance premiums be lowered, is a new car safer and more cost effective than a used car and what boundaries should be set once a teen gets their license?

Our Chicago car accident attorneys know that purchasing a teen's first vehicle can be stressful and overwhelming because every teen has a brand new sporty car on their wish list once they become fully licensed but the reality is, it probably isn't the safest or financially sound decision a parent could make for their child.

Contrary to popular belief, an article in Daily Finance reports that teens should not assume that a car will be waiting for them the day they pass their exam and get their license. There are financial ramifications that need to be considered first. Parents can help with finances by making it a learning experience for their teen. Set up a "My First Car" account that you're teen driver can deposit into money earned from gifts, summer jobs, or chores so that it teaches them the responsibility of owning and maintaining a vehicle.

When you purchase a vehicle, the most consideration should be given to whether to buy new or used. Newer cars come equipped with all the important safety features like electronic stability control, air bags and anti-lock brakes but also contain lots of distraction devices like stereo systems, GPS devices and in-vehicle technology which make the car unsafe for a teen driver who becomes distracted. Essentially, you just need a vehicle that handles well, brakes quickly and has controlled steering which can often be found in a certified pre-owned vehicle. Used vehicles should be considered because they are more affordable.

There is no shame in doing your homework on crash-testing and safety ratings. Once you narrow down the list of vehicles you are interested in, several online sources can offer safety ratings on the vehicle. These organizations include: safercar.gov, J.D. Power and Associates, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to name a few.

Once you determine whether new or used is the way to go, there are some other things that you can do to save some money and make purchasing the car for your teen more affordable.

Many insurance companies will offer discounts for teens that are good students, who take a defensive driving course, or maintain a clean driving record. Communicate to your teen the importance of these behaviors and reward them when they are successful over a period of time. The U.S. Department of Energy is another helpful online source that can help you save money because it tells you how to get the best gas mileage, as well as, other money saving tips.

Before you hand over the keys to your teen, develop and sign a Parent-Teen Driving Contract , which sets up rules and boundaries that both you and your teen agree on.

Knowing your teen is committed to being a safe driver can give you some peace of mind that they will be safer while they are behind the wheel.