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A New York teenager died after crashing a family friend’s Lamborghini into a guardrail while he was taking it for a test drive. According to FOX News (8.30.14), 18-year-old Samuel Shepard was driving on a county road on Long Island when he lost control of the high-powered sports car. Excessive speed was thought to be a factor in the accident.
The owner of the car, Michael Power, was a passenger in the car. He was treated for non-life threatening injuries, said FOX News.
Inexperience and risk taking play a major factor in teen auto accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are also the leading cause of death among teens in the U.S. The accident risk rate for drivers age 16 to 19 is three times that of drivers aged 20 and older reported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Parents of teenagers worry about many things including, drugs, sex, eating disorders, depression. However, above all, they should worry about driving,” said Attorney at Law David Perecman.
“Teenagers often have a sense of immortality and believe that an accident could not happen to them,” Perecman explained. “Poor judgment, and also peer pressure, can lead to high-risk behaviors such as speeding, driving while distracted, drinking and driving, and not wearing a seat belt.”
In 2010, approximately 2700 young people age 16-19 died in motor vehicle crashes and almost 282,000 were treated and released from emergency departments for injuries. Even though this age group makes up only fourteen percent of the U.S. population, people aged 15-24 account for approximately 29 percent of the total costs of motor vehicle accident injuries, said the CDC. Many teen fatal crashes are speed related.
“When selecting a car for a teenager to drive, parents must make safety a priority. Sports cars encourage risky driving, like speeding,” said Perecman. “No family should have to deal with such a tragic death.”
Teenage car enthusiast Shepard recently graduated from high school, FOX News said.
If you or a loved one is seriously injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent driver, contact the auto accident attorneys at The Perecman Firm at 212-977-7033.
The FOX News story cited is “New York teen dies in Lamborghini test drive.”
About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C.:
For the past 30 years, the New York personal injury, medical malpractice, construction accident, and auto accident lawyers at The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., have handled all types of cases of vehicular accidents in New York. David Perecman, founder of the Firm, has been recognized for his achievements as an Honoree in the National Law Journal’s Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine’s “The Best Lawyers in America” and The New York Times Magazine “New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition” for the years 2007-2010. The prestigious U.S. News & World Report ranks The Perecman Firm among the top 20 personal injury firms in New York City for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
The Firm has recovered millions of dollars for its clients. Among the more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict** for a construction accident (Index 112370/03) Supreme Court, New York County, a $5.35 million dollar verdict*** for an automobile accident (Index 2749/04) Supreme Court, Kings County, and a $40 million dollar structured settlement for medical malpractice (Index 2146/03)****Supreme Court, Kings County.
The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., serves Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Upstate NY, Morris County, and Rockland County.
**later settled while on appeal for $7.940 million
*** later settled for $3.5 million
**** total potential payout
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“Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.”
