Although there aren’t as many senior drivers on the road as other age groups, those who do choose to go behind the wheel may endanger themselves and others.
By 2018, the United States had more than 45 million licensed drivers aged 65 and above. That’s an increase of more than 50% from the year 2000. Driving allows seniors to remain mobile and self-sufficient. However, as individuals become older, their chances of being hurt or killed in a car accident rise. There are, thankfully, measures that older people may do to keep themselves safe on the roadways.
The chance of injury or death in a car collision increases with age, according to the CDC. Seniors 65 and above accounted for nearly 8,000 car accidents deaths in 2018 and over 250,000 seniors ended up in emergency rooms. Due to these numbers, 20+ seniors are killed in a car accident daily with over 700 hurt and needing medical attention.
The most at risk are seniors aged 75 and above. This age group sees a great fatality rate. Why?
Car Accidents Involving the Elderly: What Causes Them?
It’s not a surprise seniors are more susceptible to car accidents. With age, a person’s physical abilities decline. Some things affecting driving abilities include slower response time; eyesight and/or hearing impairment; difficulty concentrating; poor judgment; and medical problems.
Although the elderly are less likely than other age groups to participate in dangerous activities such as texting or speeding, the truth is that these risk factors may put them at higher risk of accidents. When it comes to driving, various age groups offer distinct dangers.
Accidents involving the elderly are caused by a variety of factors. While younger drivers are more likely to cause an accident by speeding or driving carelessly, older drivers are more likely to cause accidents for a variety of reasons. These include:
– Running a red light or a stop sign.
– Driving too slowly.
– Braking too quickly.
– Misjudging how far something is.
– Driving the opposite direction.
– Not stopping at crosswalks and intersections.
– Turning left when it’s signs indicate that you can’t.
– Driving while too dark.
What Do You Do After An Accident with an Elderly Driver?
After being injured in an accident, you must show that the person who caused the collision was negligent while driving. You can only get compensation if you can prove fault. When you are struck by a senior driver, the situation is the same. However, there may be more methods to collect evidence indicating the older driver was negligent.
Your car accident lawyer may investigate the elderly driver’s vision. Drivers in some states must have 20/40 or better vision, or at least 20/100 with driving limitations. The optometrist records of the senior driver may also be requested by your lawyer.
A senior driver may also have to submit information about both their physical and mental problems at the time of the car accident. You can’t make any assumptions about any driver’s abilities, especially after being involved in an accident. Only a comprehensive investigation, including medical information, accident reports and even driving records will help determine if the senior driver has anything hindering their ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Your lawyer may suggest speaking with the elderly person’s relatives and close friends to see if they had any worries about their loved one driving before the incident. For example, a family member may have tried to revoke their driver’s license.
Recent driving records may also indicate they should not have been driving.
Always Contact A Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident lawyer is prepared in taking on cases related to car accidents. Be sure to consult with a lawyer whose major area of practice is car accidents. You may need to collect compensation via an insurance claim and a lawyer is the best way to go about this.
