A teen in Charles City, IA was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital-Mayo Clinic after suffering injuries in a two-vehicle accident. The teen, who has been identified as 17-year-old Leo Trebbien, was behind the wheel of his Jeep Wrangler when he failed to stop for a stop sign at 300th Avenue and Victory Avenue. As a result, KCHA News reports that he was broadside swiped by a 2011 Chevy Silverado driven by 41-year-old Andrew Hauser.
The news source said that the teen’s Jeep was “propelled into a ditch and hit an embankment.” The Chevy had been hauling a trailer full of hay and also went into the ditch causing the trailer to disconnect and flip over. Iowa State Patrol responded to the accident and had Hauser transported to Waverly Health Center. ISP officers believe both men survived the crash because they were wearing their seat belts.
Talking to Your Teen About Safe Driving
Did you know that traffic crashes are a leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 15 to 18 years old [Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA)]? Teen drivers are more susceptible to engaging in an accident not only because of their lack of experience with driving but also because there are multiple distractions deter their attention away from the road.
Rules of the Road: 5 Rules to Discuss with Your Teen Driver
One way you can help reduce your teen’s chances of engaging in a car accident is by setting the right example of what they should be doing when behind the wheel. Another way is to discuss with them certain rules of the road so they know what type of behavior they should be displaying while driving. Five rules of the road that should be discussed with teen drivers include:
- Wear seat belts. Seat belts save lives and should be worn at all times.
- Never drink or do drugs. Despite the fact that it is illegal for a teen to drink or do drugs, it is also extremely dangerous for them to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated.
- Avoid distractions. Although cellphones have become the leading cause of distraction for drivers, there are plenty of other types of distractions that cause teen drivers to engage in accidents. Therefore, it is essential for teens to avoid all types of distractions to prevent from engaging in an accident.
- No speeding. Teens should never drive beyond the posted speed limit or at a speed that is too fast for the conditions that are present (i.e. inclement weather, traffic, etc.)
- Limit the number of passengers they have driving with them. Too many passengers can lead a teen driver to become distracted and unable to focus on the road.
Was your teen driver recently involved in an accident in Iowa?
If your teen was recently involved in an accident in Iowa and you have some concerns you would like an experienced Iowa car accident lawyer to address, Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. is here for you.
You can reach Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. at:
1921 51st Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: (319) 393-1020
Fax: (319) 393-4000
Website: www.eellsandtronvold.com
