What Happens After a Teen Driver Crash in Charleston, SC?
While you may be happy to see your teen behind the wheel, you should make your child aware of traffic hazards to keep them safe. South Carolina uses a Graduated Driver’s License program for teenagers ages 15 to 17. This system restricts young drivers to help protect them. However, accidents can and still do happen, with 2,162 young driver fatalities occurring in 2024. Given this reality, parents need to understand the law and when they may face legal liability if their teenage driver causes a serious crash.
As always, our Charleston auto accident attorneys at John Price Law Firm, LLC, are happy to assist you.
South Carolina Licensing Program for Teen Drivers
As mentioned, South Carolina follows a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program designed to help teens gain safe experience on the road. At age 15, teens can apply for a beginner’s permit. After meeting certain requirements and holding the license for six months, teens may qualify for a conditional license at age 15.5. At age 16, your teen may be eligible for a special restricted license.
Both conditional and special restricted licenses have restrictions, including limitations on passengers under 21 (unless you are with a licensed adult at least 21) and restrictions on nighttime driving. After 8 pm, teenagers must have a licensed driver present, but if they have a special restricted license and are 16, they can apply for a waiver that lets them drive alone until midnight.
Driver’s License Consequences
If your teen causes a serious crash, points will be put on their license based on the specific traffic violation. For instance, failure to yield adds four points, while reckless driving adds six. Six points trigger a mandatory six-month license suspension. However, a 17-year-old with full driving privileges will follow the same laws as adults, as stated in SC Code §56-1-740.
Under this law, the following point system applies to license suspensions:
- 12 to 15 points: Three-month suspension
- 16 or 17 points: Four-month suspension
- 18 or 19 points: Five-month suspension
- 20 points or more: Six-month suspension
Spike in Insurance Premium
Even a single accident caused by a teen driver can increase your insurance premium by as much as 40 percent. Since teenagers lack driving experience, insurance companies see them as a financial liability. To offset predicted future costs, insurers will often increase your premiums for three to five years before dropping the surcharge.
Criminal Penalties
If your teen commits a GDL-specific violation, they may face up to 30 days in jail and a $100 fine under SC Code §56-1-170(A). Under SC Code §56-1-187, as the parent, you may face a $500 fine if you knowingly let your teen driver operate without a valid beginner’s permit or driver’s license, or in violation of a GDL restriction. This fine may be raised to $1,000 for a crash that causes serious injury or fatalities.
Additionally, a teen found operating a vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or their property may be charged with reckless driving under SC Code §56-5-2920. Signs of reckless behavior include driving 25 miles or more over the speed limit, disregarding traffic signals or signs, or drag racing. A first offense carries up to 30 days in jail and a $200 fine, and subsequent offenses carry harsher penalties.
Damages
As the parent of an adolescent driver, you may be held financially responsible for your teen’s negligence behind the wheel. This is especially true if your teen was driving a family vehicle and is found at fault. You may potentially be sued for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages incurred by the other driver. So, keep this in mind the next time you hand your teen the keys.
Thorough Investigation to Establish Fault
An accident involving a young driver is not always the teen’s fault and should be investigated thoroughly. At John Price Law Firm, LLC, our Charleston car accident lawyers will collect police reports, eyewitness accounts, cell phone records, and photographs to discern what occurred. We work closely with reconstruction experts to use relevant evidence to recreate the crash. After we complete our investigation, our legal team will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Speak with Our Charleston Car Accident Attorneys Today
If your teen has been involved in a serious crash, contact the John Price Law Firm, LLC, today. Our Charleston car accident lawyers have helped many adolescents and families navigate insurance claims and other legal consequences after a wreck. To discuss your matter, do not hesitate to contact us online or by calling (843) 552-6011.