Teen Driving Laws in Florida: What Every Teen and Parent Needs to Know

Teen driving laws in Florida are stricter than laws for adult drivers. This is because teen drivers have less experience and may be more likely to make mistakes that put everyone, themselves included, in danger.

That said, not every crash is a teen driver’s fault, and you have rights if someone else hurts you. Our Florida car accident lawyers can educate you about your options, ensuring every teen and parent knows how to stay safe on the road—and how to fight back if someone else violates your child’s rights.

Laws That Apply to Teen Drivers in Florida

All drivers, regardless of age, must follow the standard rules of the road:

• Stopping at red lights and stop signs
• Following the posted speed limit
• Yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles as required
• No texting and driving

However, under Florida law, teen drivers may be subject to more severe penalties if they break certain laws. For example, Florida has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking and driving. A teen driver could have their license suspended with a blood alcohol concentration as low as 0.02, even though the legal limit for adults is 0.08.

Other laws that teen drivers must obey include:

• Florida’s Safety Belt Law, which states that everyone under the age of 18 must wear a seatbelt at all times.
• The special licensing requirements that compel teen drivers to stay off the road at night and/or be accompanied by a licensed adult driver

What to Do if a Teen Driver Gets in an Accident

It is okay to feel scared or overwhelmed, especially if this is your first crash. Take a moment to assess your condition and make sure that anyone else in the car with you is okay before taking further action.

Other things you can do after the crash include the following:

• Move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible, or get out of the vehicle and get to a safe place to the side of the road
• Call 911, explain where you are and what happened, and ask for police and medical assistance
• Do not leave the scene until the police arrive (unless you need emergency treatment)
• Take photos of everything you see, including any injuries you sustained
• Speak to the other driver, see if they need medical help, and get their contact and insurance information

As a parent, you can protect your child’s rights by helping them complete these steps to the extent possible and ensuring they follow the treatment plan laid out for them by their doctor. You can also reach out to our auto accident lawyers for further advice and support.

Filing a Claim

Florida is a no-fault state, so it does not matter who caused the accident: you can always get compensation for certain medical bills and other damages through your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

If you were seriously injured, you also have the option of filing a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver or another negligent party.

Filing a car accident claim is complex enough for adult drivers, let alone teens. If your family needs compensation for a crash that was not your fault, our law firm can guide you through the process so that you can focus on getting your life back.

The Insurance Company Might Use Your Youth and Inexperience Against You

Unfortunately, insurance companies do not want to pay any more than they have to, and they may resort to unfair tactics to reduce their financial liability. Regardless of how the accident really happened, they might try to:

• Blame you for the accident. They might play on the stereotype that all teen drivers are reckless, or they might say that your lack of driving experience means you must have done something wrong.
• Downplay your injuries. They may say that you are young enough to “bounce back” from your injuries or that you are just being dramatic.
• Offer a lowball settlement. The insurer knows how upsetting it is for a parent to see their child involved in an accident, so they might take advantage of your family’s distress to try to push through an inadequate settlement agreement.

The insurer might use your social media posts against you as well. People of all ages—not just teens—often share important personal news online, but when it comes to motor vehicle accidents, keep all details on a need-to-know basis. This is important because:

• The insurer might be monitoring your account.
• They can use any imprecise, unclear, or joking posts to argue that you caused the accident.
• They can use simple statements (e.g., “I feel okay”) or photographs to “prove” that your injuries are not as bad as you claim.

Your attorney might be able to help you craft a general message so that your friends and family know the basics of what happened. Other than that, do not post anything about the accident on social media.

Teen Drivers Have the Same Rights as Adults

While teen drivers have to follow stricter rules when driving, they are also entitled to the same rights as adult drivers, including the right to a safe environment and respect from other road users. You also have the right to hire an attorney to protect you after a crash.

If another driver infringed on your rights by carelessly causing an accident, or if the insurance company is unfairly blaming you for the accident based on your age or another factor, our legal team can stand up for you.

Our Lawyers Represent Both Adult and Teen Drivers

If you or your teen were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, let Meldon Law advocate for you. We won’t back down from a challenge. Even if someone is trying to use your age against you, we can investigate carefully to find out the truth and fight for appropriate compensation. Call now for a free consultation.