Car accidents involving aging adults

As we begin to age, we start losing the ability to physically and mentally complete tasks that seemed so simple at a younger age. Driving is an extremely complex activity that many older adults struggle with. Statistics consistently reveal that motor vehicle accidents involving older adults over the age of 65 are often just as dangerous as accidents involving an intoxicated driver.

Statistics Regarding Older Adult Drivers and Accidents

Experts estimated that about 14 million Americans were involved in car accidents with drivers who were 65 years or older in 2014. In 2015, there were an estimated 40 million licensed drivers who were over the age of 65 in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drivers over the age of 70 have increased over 50 percent in the years between 1991 and 2015. Unfortunately, a survey conducted in 2015 showed that seniors aged 85 and older were the population with the highest rate of pedestrian death among all age groups. Despite these negative statistics, research also shows that seniors are the most likely age group to utilize car safety strategies like using seatbelts and avoiding impaired driving.

What Makes the Elderly More Susceptible to Accidents?

Driving in a vehicle gives everyone greater independence and freedom, so it’s not something that anyone wants to give up voluntarily. In many cases, an older driver may not realize that their driving skills have decreased over time. Below are some of the main reasons that the elderly are more susceptible to car accidents:

• Decreasing eyesight
• Reduced hearing
• Slowed reflexes
• Medical issues requiring medications
• Mental confusion
• Increased drowsiness
• Memory impairment

Solutions

Different states have different solutions to help prevent seriously impaired driving by aging citizens. Some states have special provisions for renewing a license past the age of 75 such as:

• Requiring medical exams prior to renewing
• Requiring more frequent renewals
• Completing a vision test with each new renewal
• Reduced or waived renewal fees
• Requiring a road test every renewal

These different provisions have been put into place to protect the safety of both aging seniors and other drivers on the road. Adults who have aging loved ones need to take action when they recognize that the person can no longer drive safely.

Contact an Edison Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party, or their insurance company, to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Team Law represent clients injured because of car accident in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and throughout NJ. Call 1-800-832-6529 or email us to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at
136 Central Avenue Clark, New Jersey 07066 as well as offices in Perth Amboy, Summit, New Brunswick, Plainfield, Highland Park, West New York, Edison, Newark, Orange, Jersey City, and Union City, NJ. 
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.