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Junior Derek DiBernardo was also in the accident at the intersection of Twin Rivers road and County Road 419 and hit fellow senior Edward O’Dea. DiBernardo was adjusting his air conditioning when he hit O’Dea who was stopped at a red light. The system in his car automatically called the police and gave them his location, so help was able to arrive on site quickly. “Riding in the passenger seat, you really don’t have control over stopping,” DiBernardo said. “After the accident, it kind of freaked me out, but you’ll get over it.”
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Story and design by Sophie Hill Sidebars by Jeannie Williams and Sophie Hill
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Alafaya and McCulloch. Although he was distracted by his phone, the accident was the other car’s fault because it was turning right onto Alafaya and failed to give Plumtree right of way. “It was probably the craziest thing that has ever happened to me and I’ve been driving a lot safer since,” Plumtree said. “I could have died, and that’s horrifying.”
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Teenagers are at the greatest risk for accidents alongside drowsy, drunk and distracted drivers
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Junior Annemarie Cox was in the passenger seat of a car that was stopped at a light on Alafaya when they were hit from behind. The driver of the other car was texting and did not see the red light, so he rear-ended junior Hannah Stephens and Cox going 40 miles per hour. Both girls sustained injuries that required medical care and chiropractic sessions, but the other driver’s insurance took care of the cost. At his request, the police were not called. “It was a couple months ago and I still look in my rear-view mirror all the time because I feel like somebody’s going to hit me,” Cox said.
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4 CAR CRASHES
Senior Edward O’Dea was rear-ended at the intersection of Twin Rivers Road and CR 419 by junior Derek DiBernardo. His sister, sophomore Courtney O’Dea, was in the car and called their dad, who arrived shortly thereafter. When police arrived, both drivers were asked for their licenses, registration and a description of what happened. “I was mostly concerned to see if my sister was hurt or if anybody in the other car was hurt,” O’Dea said.
ne second, senior Mikey Reyenga was found it difficult to get back behind the wheel after the influence or following another car too closely. cruising down SR 434, eyeing the light for being in a car crash. “Both of my accidents happened because I the upcoming intersection. The next, he “I got in an accident the first day I had my rear-ended the car in front of me,” senior Olivia watched as a crash broke out a little further down license more than a month ago and I’m still scared Hawkins said. “I wasn’t really paying attention and on the road, leaving Reyenga with no other option to drive today,” Stephens said. “I was rear-ended at I regret it.” full speed because the guy [who] According to the than to slam into the accident unfolding before him. hit me was texting.” Florida Highway “You immediately freak out. You think ‘this “If you’re in a situation and Texting and driving has Patrol, the biggest wasn’t supposed to happen’ because you were just been a major cause of accidents, you don’t know what to do, causes for most teen jamming out to your favorite song and now you’re especially for younger drivers, it’s really scary. Someone’s driving accidents ruining your day and the days of the people around and accounted for nearly 25 include: failure to you,” Reyenga said. “It’s terrifying.” life could be on the line” wear a seatbelt, percent of crashes across the In Central Florida, teen drivers from local high country in 2013. Studies by inexperience, driving schools and UCF make up for a disproportionate - Olivia Hawkins, 12 National Highway Transportation drowsy, distracted or number of accidents in the area. In the United States, teens only make up 14 percent of the Safety Administration indicate that texting while drunk, the presence of other teenage passengers and population, yet they account for nearly 30 percent driving increases the likelihood of an accident 23 driving recklessly. of all car accidents. times over and is six times more likely to cause “It’s pretty simple: don’t be stupid,” Reyenga After the accident, Reyenga called 911 and an accident than being intoxicated. Contrary to said. “Safe driving is common sense.” watched as four more accidents took place as a popular belief, the majority of crashes occur in Measures to reduce teen driving accidents result of the crash he witnessed, backing up traffic daylight (66 percent), on a dry surface (84 percent), include more education and an increased focus for miles and causing a sense of frenzy. and in clear weather conditions (74 percent) while on accumulating experience behind the wheel. Reyenga and Stephens added that offering towing “Obviously the driver is distracted by a phone, services for teens to get home safely and further when you get in GPS, sound station or other “You immediately freak emphasis of the consequences of poor driving will a crash there’s a electronic device (42 percent). out. You think ‘this wasn’t help decrease car crashes for teenagers. lot of adrenaline “I used to check my phone “I don’t think people understand the power every once in a while, but you immediately supposed to happen.’ It’s and responsibility of driving,” Stephens said. have to put your phone away or in flowing through terrifying.” “Accidents are really scary and they can happen to your body,” the passenger seat because it’s just anyone. Nobody is invincible.” Reyenga said. “You never worth it,” Stephens said. - Mikey Reyenga, 12 Hawkins said taking her car for granted and have to remember to Teenagers are three times remain calm, don’t say anything incriminating. Call more likely to be in an accident than someone over not taking driving seriously caused her accident. the police and let them handle it.” the age of 20 and have the lowest reported seatbelt She said the increased awareness following her Although Reyenga has walked away unscathed use, with nearly half of all teens killed in crashes accidents will help prevent more in the future. from two separate accidents, he says they never last year failing to wear a seatbelt. Teenagers are “It’s not a game,” Hawkins said. If you’re in a become less terrifying. also more likely to take risks and underestimate the situation and you don’t know what to do, it’s really Junior Hannah Stephens, like Reyenga, also danger of a perilous situation, such as driving under scary. Someone’s life could be on the line.”
Information complied from eSurance, StateFarm, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol
1 Check for injuries
So long as you are not seriously injured, try to get out of the way of incoming traffic and turn off the engine. If moving your car is impossible, turn on the hazard lights. Check in on the other people involved in the crash and make sure to remain near the scene. When in doubt, especially if you feel pain in the neck and back, remain in the car until medical professionals can help you out without worsening your injuries.
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Call the police
Even if the damage does not seem serious, call the police so they can file an accident report. These reports are important when filing an insurance claim to fix the car or when seeking medical help for any injuries sustained in the crash. Take photos of the damage for an insurance claim, and allow first responders to handle the situation. When interacting with law enforcement, refrain from blaming or admitting fault and allow the officer to objectively determine who, if anyone, is at fault.
“Always call the police. I didn’t and I regret it because the insurance process took twice as long and I ended up getting injured from [the] crash.” Hannah Stephens, 12
3 Remain Calm
Staying calm is crucial to proper medical attention and legal protection. By keeping a clear head, it will be easier to survey personal injuries, explain what happened, and assess damage to the car.
4 Call an emergency contact When possible, get in contact with your parents or other family members to assist you with maneuvering the legal and medical consequences of an accident.
“I called my dad right after my accident and it was the best thing I did because I was so freaked out and I would have done something stupid without him.” Michael Plumtree, 12
5 Follow up
Even a simple fender bender can have lasting consequences. After an accident, be sure to have a mechanic check out your car for misaligned tires, a damaged engine, or a faulty frame. Notify your car insurance’s policy holder of the accident so they, or you, can file a claim to repair the car and pay for medical bills. Also, see a doctor to rule out the possibility of a concussion, spinal trauma or any other injury that could surface anywhere from days to weeks after the accident.
6 Accident Prevention
Make sure to drive with your license, car insurance card, and car registration at all times. Try to keep a first aid kit, jumper cables, and a flashlight in the car. Keep your phone charged and make sure loose items sitting in the passenger seat or on the dashboard are secured or put away.
“I was on my phone and then I hit someone out of nowhere. It happened so fast. I could have died all because I was on my phone and that’s crazy.” Michael Plumtree, 12