Teenage boys traditionally have been viewed as more dangerous drivers than young female drivers. They have a higher risk of being injured a car accident. The insurance companies are aware of this, which is why young men pay higher premiums than their female peers.

A new study, however, indicates that teenage girls are engaging in risky driving habits. Young women, in fact, were around twice as likely as young men to use electronic devices while driving, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The study also determined that females were 10 percent more likely to be observed engaging in other distracted driver behaviors, such as reaching for an object in the vehicle or eating or drinking.

Los Angeles personal injury lawyer Mickey Fine, of the Law Offices of Mickey Fine, has represented seriously injured accident victims. An experienced car accident attorney, Fine has seen first-hand how devastating injuries can be to victims and their families.

Distracted driving has become an epidemic as more people use cell phones and other electronic devices. More than 3,000 highway deaths in 2010 were linked to distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It’s important for parents to talk with their teenagers about the dangers of using cell phones while driving or texting while driving.

Another study looking at gender and car accidents revealed that the number of young female drunk drivers is on the rise. In 2007, the risk of being involved in a drunk driving car accident was about the same for young female drinkers as it was for young male drinkers, according to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. In 1996, a male under 21 was four times as likely as an underage female to get into a fatal drunk driving car accident with a blood alcohol concentration of .1 percent, according to the study.

It’s not entirely clear why more young women are getting into drunk driving accidents, but they may be taking more chances on the road than they had in the past, according to researchers.

While teenagers may cause accidents due to their inexperience as drivers or because they have engaged in risky behavior behind the wheel, some young people can become injury victims through no fault of their own. If you were injured, or a loved one was injured or killed due to someone’s negligence, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney who can protect your rights.

Contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine, serving Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Manhattan Beach, the South Bay area and communities throughout Southern California. Call 800-576-3818 or reach the law firm by completing an online contact form. Law Offices of Mickey Fine, 1334 Park View Avenue, Suite 100, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

Auto accidents caused by drivers 15 to 20 years old killed 5,623 people nationwide in 2009. Now, imagine if 2,014 lives could be saved across the country every year. Sound far fetched? It’s not as hard as you might think. All states have to do is adopt seven simple rules for teenage drivers, according to the National Safety Council.

Auto accidents caused by California teenage drivers happen fast. What would you do you were injured in an auto accident? You need a California teen auto accident attorney on your side. You need the Law Offices of Mickey Fine. Serving the Los Angeles area and the rest of California, the experienced attorneys at our law firm have helped many accident victims, including working with them to decide whether to file an auto accident lawsuit in California. Car crashes can be extremely complicated. Allow us to help you cut through the red tape and get the settlement your rightfully deserve. Contact a Los Angeles auto accident attorney who puts people first. Contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine.

The National Safety Council supports states adopting seven specific rules for teenage drivers aimed at reducing the number of auto accidents – and saving more than 2,000 lives each year. These rules are:

-         minimum age 16 for a learner’s permit

-         six months before unsupervised driving

-         minimum 30 hours supervised driving during learner’s stage

-         intermediate licensing at 16½ minimum

-         intermediate night driving restriction begin no later than 10 p.m.

-         no more than one non-family passenger for intermediate license holders

-         minimum age 17 for a full license.

Don’t leave your future to chance. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident caused by a teenage driver in California, take back control. Contact a law firm that demands justice. Contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine. We’re on your side.

A new study finds that women are more likely than men to be injured in a car accident. According to the report, females face a greater risk of car accident injury possibly because cars lack safety features tailored to women.

The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH), relied on national traffic accident statistics from 1998 to 2008. Women are not necessarily in more auto accidents, but the design of safety devices like seatbelts and airbags may provide greater protection for men due to their larger size and their preferred seating position, according to the results. The report found that female drivers wearing seatbelts were more likely to be injured and sustained more chest and spin injuries than men wearing seatbelts in similar crashes.

Car accidents happen every day. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, or elsewhere in California, you may sustain deep losses. Don’t hesitate to speak with an experienced car accident attorney in Los Angeles to learn about your rights. Contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine.

According to the study, women face “a higher risk of lower extreme injuries … as a result of their relatively smaller stature, preferred seating posture and a combination of these factors.” Women drivers using a seatbelt were 47 percent more likely to be injured than a belted male driver in a comparable crash.

While the study is pretty scary for women, the best thing you can do is to pick a car best suited for you. Some cars are a better fit for smaller drivers. Also, sit a safe distance from the air bag, which can cause harm to drivers who are not at least 10 inches away from point where it deploys. Make sure the seatbelt fits comfortably and securely. Make any adjustments if necessary.

Remember, if you are in an accident and sustain injuries, it’s a good idea to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. You can be injured in a car accident in an instant, but the effects can last a lifetime. Contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine to see how we can help.

At a time when more and more people are sending or receiving text messages, a new study shows just how dangerous texting while driving can be. Researchers at the Texas Transportation Institute have found that a driver’s reaction time is doubled when distracted by looking at a text, or sending a text message. The study reveals that texting behind the wheel is even more of a hazard than originally thought. Simply put, texting drivers can not react to sudden roadway hazards as quickly as non-texting drivers.

If you or a loved one was in an accident due to someone texting while driving, you may need an injury lawyer to help you recover compensation. Accidents can lead to serious injuries and major setbacks. Insurance companies may delay claims or deny a claim outright. Don’t hesitate to contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer. Choose a determined attorney in South Bay at the Law Offices of Mickey Fine.

Many texting while driving studies were based on driving simulation machines. The Texas Transportation Institute study, however, was based on an actual road test. Drivers tried to read or write a text message while maneuvering on a section of road lined with construction barrels. Researchers recorded each participant’s reaction time to a periodic flashing light. Reaction time by non-texting drivers typically was between one and two seconds. For texting drivers, it was at least three to four second.

At the Law Offices of Mickey Fine, our personal injury attorneys in Bakersfield have seen the devastation caused by impaired drivers. People operating automobiles or trucks need to focus on driving. If you are driving and need to send a text or read a text message, pull over to a safe location, or wait until you arrive at your destination. If someone’s negligent driving caused your accident, don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer. Talk to an experienced attorney at the Law Offices of Mickey Fine. We fight hard to protect our clients’ rights.