Many car accidents can be completely avoided if the driver had not been drinking. It is something we begin discussing with our kids while they are young in hopes that when they begin to drive they make good choices. Yet, as it often is with teens, they decide to learn the hard way -- as a group of Toms River teens recently found out when they were involved in an alcohol related accident.

According to Toms River Police, the car accident happened a little before 5:00 a.m. on Congress and Michigan Avenue. The 18-year-old driver is reported to have been speeding when he lost control of his vehicle causing it to hit a utility box and then a tree. In total, there were six other teens in the car ranging from age 14 to 17-years-old. The driver and a 15-year-old boy were taken to Jersey Shore Trauma Center; the other teens were transported to Community Medical Center.

Two of the passengers say that they had asked to be let out of the vehicle before the car accident occurred. They also reported that the group had been coming from a party where there had been drinking. The driver of the vehicle has been charged with reckless driving, failure to wear a seatbelt and additional charges are pending, according to Toms River Police.

When an accident such as this happens, victims and their families have a right to know what occurred. In many instances, they may have legal rights that they can pursue in civil court for damages and medical expenses. While no one was killed in this car accident, many were injured and the driver of this vehicle may find himself being held accountable for his reckless actions in both criminal and civil court.

Source: The Toms River News, "Car with 7 teenagers coming home from party involved in accident according to Toms River police," Dec. 19, 2011