Graduated driver's license laws are relatively unknown in the United States, but their intention is to put younger drivers in low-risk driving situations to safely gain experience while on the road. GDL laws use a system of license promotion to allow younger drivers to build their confidence behind the wheel and, subsequently, minimize car accident rates. Only Alabama uses a set of driver's license laws comparable to GDL legislation.

GDL laws apply various restrictions, limits and bans on teenage drivers attempting to earn their license. They usually legislate that teenagers cannot get a driver's license until the age of 18, and they also ban any cell phones while driving. In addition, GDL laws limit place a variety of limits on nighttime driving for teens, while restricting the passenger count for drivers aged 16 or 17.

It is known that teenagers are one of the highest at-risk groups of drivers on the road. Lacking experience while also having plenty of distractions at their disposal contributes to this fact, and now a new study done by the National Safety Council shows just how deadly - and expensive - teenage car accidents have become.

Totaling more than 81,000 fatalities from 2000 to 2009, car accidents that involve a driver between the ages of 15 and 20 are the most common form of death for U.S. teenagers. The report went further, projecting a 4% drop in fatalities from teen car accidents if every state passed GDL legislation.

That would save about 2,000 lives annually and roughly $13.6 billion in costs that are attributed to car accidents (such as medical expenses, lost income due to injury or death, and vehicle damage).

Teen driving accidents can result in a personal injury claim, especially if the young driver operated the vehicle negligently. You may think a personal injury claim is complicated, but with an experienced legal representative by your side, you could get compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured.

Source: MSNBC, "Study: Tougher teen driving laws would save lives, money," M. Alex Johnson, Dec. 6, 2011