Automobile Accident Attorneys

Elderly drivers are more prone to having an automobile accident than younger drivers. Some older people are capable of continuing to drive well into their eighties and beyond. Many, however, are at a higher risk for accidents.

A person sixty-five or older is likely to be more seriously injured in an automobile accident and more likely to die from injuries in a crash. Fatalities rise sharply after age seventy.

Key risk factors are a decline in vision, hearing loss, limited mobility and increased reaction time. Certain medications commonly used by the elderly have been known to increase driving risks, such as, those causing drowsiness. A diagnosis of dementia or brain impairment can lead to confusion when confronted with unfamiliar situations on the road.

If someone close to you is finding it challenging to drive and you are concerned, it may be time to reassess that person’s ability to continue driving. They may need to brush up on their driving skills or give up their license altogether. Approach the issue with thoughtfulness and tact because a driver’s license is a symbol of independence, self-sufficiency and freedom. These things are not easily relinquished, even if it is the best course of action.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an automobile accident, please contact an experienced automobile accident attorney in your area.