No one wishes for a car accident. But unfortunately, even if it’s not your fault, you don’t exactly get to choose when they happen. Not knowing your rights when involved in this kind of situation can open you up to severe consequences.
So, what exactly do you need to know when driving with a learner’s permit in PA and dealing with car accidents?
Learner’s Permit Restrictions for When Driving in PA
The first thing you can do as a learner’s permit holder in PA is to learn the restrictions you have to adhere to, such as the following:
- Your permit is valid for one year After this period, you may choose to apply for another permit.
- You are not allowed to drive alone Learner’s permit holders must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license or another licensed individual at least 21 years of age.
- You may not drive late at night Young drivers are not allowed to drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless it is for employment purposes.
- Passenger limitation You may only have one non-family member under the age of 18 in the car with you.
- Zero-tolerance law Any drivers under 21 years of age caught driving with alcohol in their system could face significant points on their license, fines, license suspension, or jail time.
Is Insurance Required for Learner Permit Holders?
No, unless you do your driver’s test in your own car. The car used in the driving exam must have insurance cover. Car insurance is also compulsory for all driver’s license holders, so you will need it as soon as you earn your license. Learn more in our driver insurance for learner drivers in Pennsylvania guide.
Car Accidents With a Learner’s Permit in PA: Who Is Liable
Determining who is liable in a car accident is difficult and usually involves police statements and, potentially, court appearances. However, if you are involved in a car accident with a learner’s permit, you will be immediately held liable in any of the following circumstances:
- You are not following any of the restrictions listed above
- You flee the scene without exchanging information with the other driver
- You were caught performing any traffic violations (running a red light, not stopping at a stop street, texting while driving, etc.)
- You fail to make a police statement
- The vehicle you were driving was not insured (read our guide to learner driver insurance in PA)
Insurance Claims for Accidents With Learner’s Permits
Is PA an At-Fault State for Accidents?
Proving fault is highly important for making insurance claims. Learner drivers are required to have some form of insurance, but that doesn’t make it any easier to prove who was at fault.
Pennsylvania is both a fault and no-fault state, which means that the at-fault driver will have to claim from their insurance to pay for the other driver’s losses (damages, medical bills, etc.). However, in cases where both parties are at fault, you might be able to avoid full liability. If you can prove that the other driver was 40% at fault for the accident, then you will only have to pay for 60% of their losses, while they will have to pay for 40% of yours.
In some accidents, it can be challenging to determine who was at fault if no immediate laws were broken, such as two drivers merging into the same lane simultaneously. In such instances, each party attempting to prove that they were not at fault will have to prove that they were not being negligent, which can be difficult. Ways that you can prove fault include:
- Valid police reports
- Pictures
- Vehicle damage
- Medical bills/injuries
- Witnesses
Lowering Your Insurance Costs With Driver’s Ed
Remember, you’ll be able to bring down your insurance costs significantly by taking professional driving lessons at centers such as Driven2Drive. Insurance companies know that young drivers who have received professional training, especially in defensive driving, are much less likely to be involved in accidents. So, completing training is rewarded with lower premiums. Take a look at our guide to getting discounts on insurance with driver’s ed to learn more.
Book a driving lesson with one of Driven2Drive’s expert instructors now to cut your insurance costs, lower your chance of an accident, and ace your driver’s test the first time. Call us on 610 664 7400 or send us a message today.
Related Resources:
- How to Lower Your Car Insurance in PA
- A Guide to the Total Cost Behind Getting a Driver’s License in PA
- Importance of Adding Your Teen to Your Car Insurance
- Do You Need Insurance With A Learner’s Permit In PA?
Driven2Drive is a premier driving school and the leader in Driver’s Education. From our dedicated team of instructors to our innovative state-of-the-art Driving & License Testing Centers, we are committed to instilling safe driving habits for life in a fun and interactive atmosphere.
