Columbia, SC (PRWEB) May 03, 2013

Columbia, SC personal injury lawyer Thomas K. Fowler Jr. of Peake & Fowler Law Firm, P.A., said more work needs to be done to reduce the number of teen driver fatalities in South Carolina.

Teenager driver fatalities in South Carolina doubled during the first half of 2012, compared to the same six-month period in 2011, according to South Carolinas The State on March 5.

This is a serious problem that affects everyone on the road, said Fowler, a Columbia, SC car accident lawyer who represents injured victims and families who have lost loved ones in accidents. As personal injury lawyers, we have seen how tragic accidents involving young people can be for families in South Carolina. Parents and teachers should speak with teenagers about driving safety. Teenagers need to understand the consequences of bad driving habits like texting or getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

Statistics about the number of teen drivers dying in auto accidents in South Carolina and nationwide during the first six months of 2012 were compiled by the Governors Highway Safety Association. Between January 2011 and June 2011, a total of four drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 died in car accidents in South Carolina, the report states. During that same time period in 2012, there were eight deaths among drivers the same age in South Carolina. The rest of the country also experienced an increase during the same time period. Between January 2011 and June 2011, a total of 202 drivers ages 16 or 17 year olds died. During the same time in 2012, a total of 240 teenage drivers the same age died nationwide, an increase of 19 percent or 38 people.

Fowler said safety tips for young drivers include avoiding using cellphones; always wearing a seatbelt; keeping a safe distance between cars; avoiding driving during bad weather; and avoiding all distractions such as fiddling with the radio or eating while driving.

Parents also may want to place restrictions on their kids, such as when they can drive and who they can drive with. Studies show that teenage drivers can be easily distracted when their peers are with them in the car, Fowler said.

Fowler said another way to tackle the problem of teenage traffic fatalities is through education. Educators also need to be a part of the solution, he said. Teachers can talk to students about the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt or texting while driving.

Fowler said anyone injured in a serious accident, or who has lost a loved one in an accident, should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. An accident can quickly become complicated. An attorney can help with an insurance claim so the injury victim and their family can get the full compensation they deserve, he said. In serious car accidents, a personal injury lawyer often is necessary to make sure the rights of the injured and their families are protected.

About Peake & Fowler Law Firm, P.A.

Serving clients throughout South Carolina, personal injury lawyers Peake & Fowler have more than 75 years of combined legal experience. The law firm handles a wide range of cases, including auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bike accidents, workplace injuries, nursing home negligence, Social Security disability and other practice areas. And in each case, the goal remains the same: to get clients the compensation they deserve. The attorneys at Peake & Fowler work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing if you dont win. For more information about what to do after an auto accident and the options available to families in South Carolina, call (800) WIN-WIN-1 or (800) 946-9461 or complete the online contact form. Peake & Fowler Law Firm, P.A., is located at 9357 Two Notch Road, Suite 103 (29223), Post Office Box 23601, Columbia, South Carolina 29224.