Parents of teen drivers in Connecticut should not be surprised to hear that auto accidents are the leading cause of death among teens. It is an understandable trend, but parents are not completely helpless when it comes to addressing and perhaps even reversing it. Parents will want to be involved during the first year in particular when teens acquire their license and slowly gain experience.

DriveitHOME is an initiative started by the National Safety Council, and it provides parents with various resources for lowering the risk of teen car crashes. When their teen is ready to drive, parents could share the New Driver Deal with him or her. This is an agreement laying down safety rules and expectations, and it can help prompt questions regarding the times when teens can use the car, who will pay for gas and how many passengers teens can take.

Parents may also go over the 52 Pointers for Parents with their teens. As teens are soaking in those tips and lessons, they can drive with their license, of course, but parents may consider spending at least 30 minutes a week in the passenger seat with them. It's especially important to help teens get used to night driving.

In 2016, a total of 4,853 people died in car crashes involving at least one teen driver. Fatalities are all too frequent in the wake of truck and motor vehicle accidents. Regardless of the types of vehicles that were in an accident, victims may be able to file a claim and be covered for medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damage and other losses. Parents may file on behalf of their teens. In either case, it may be wise to hire an attorney because it might be hard to achieve a reasonable settlement with the other side's auto insurance company.