Who is responsible for an accident involving a student driver in New York?

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Those who are just learning how to operate a vehicle properly and safely through a driving school can pose a serious risk to others on the road. This is because they are likely to make some mistakes. Student drivers tend to drive on the road with extreme caution, meaning they drive fairly slowly. Unfortunately, the mistakes student drivers make on the road could result in serious accidents and injuries. Often, motorists do not know how to proceed with accidents that involve student drivers. Student drivers don’t even have their licenses, so many wonder whether student drivers can be held liable for an accident. If you have been injured in an accident involving a student driver, please don’t hesitate to contact a skilled and trusted Westchester County Car Accident Lawyer who can help you navigate your legal options. Please continue following along to learn about what parties may be held liable for an accident involving a student driver. 

Who is at fault in accidents involving a student driver in New York?

When an accident involves a student driver several parties may be liable for the cause of the accident. However, more than one party may be found at fault for the cause of an accident. Ultimately, it depends on the circumstances of the accident. The following parties may be liable for this type of accident:

  • The student driver. In New York, regardless of whether an individual has a license, they are still legally required to exercise reasonable care for other motorists to prevent accidents and injuries. Student drivers are obligated to abide by New York’s traffic laws to ensure everyone’s safety on the road. It is common for student drivers to make some mistakes while behind the wheel as they are just learning how to drive. However, if their negligent actions cause a collision, they can be held liable.
  • The driving instructor. When an instructor takes a student driver out on the road, they have immense responsibility. They are responsible for keeping the student driver safe as well as others on the road. They can do so by guiding student drivers in the proper methods of how to operate a vehicle as well as paying close attention to the road. If an instructor does not take the necessary steps to prevent an accident, they could be held liable for a crash. In addition, the student driver can file a claim against them.
  • The driving school. In some cases, the driving school may be at fault for a student-driver collision. The driving school is responsible for hiring qualified instructors that can teach learning drivers how to safely operate a vehicle. If they fail to train and manage their instructors, it could lead to serious accidents and injuries. In addition, driving schools are responsible for providing student drivers with safe vehicles, meaning they have regular maintenance checks and any issues are remedied. If a driving school fails to maintain a safe vehicle for their student drivers, they can be held liable for any accidents that occur as a direct result of their negligence. In addition, the student driver can file a claim against a negligent driving school.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a student driver, it’s in your best interest to retain the legal services of one of our determined attorneys. Our firm is committed to helping our clients get the justice they deserve.