Car Accidents Are Uniquely Dangerous for Seniors

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Many peopleĀ correctlyĀ assumeĀ that teens, theĀ leastĀ experienced drivers, are theĀ age groupĀ most likelyĀ to be involved in a fatalĀ car accident. What peopleĀ mayĀ notĀ realize, though,Ā is thatĀ seniors have theĀ second-highest car accident death rateĀ ā€”Ā even though they drive significantly less and areĀ generallyĀ muchĀ safer driversĀ than other age groups.Ā 

According to the CDC, seniors are more likely than any other age group to wear seat belts, obey speed limits, and not drive impaired. YetĀ 16 seniors die from car accidents and almost 700 are injuredĀ every day. In fact, the risk of dying from a car crash increases dramatically after age 70 and is highest at 85 and beyond, AAA reports.Ā 

Unique ProblemsĀ SeniorsĀ Face WhileĀ DrivingĀ 

One problem, accordingĀ to AAA, is that even though American seniorsĀ tend to limit themselves to safer driving conditions (during daylight and good weather),Ā theyā€™re simply outliving their ability to drive safelyĀ ā€”Ā oftenĀ by as much as 7Ā toĀ 10 years. Weaker muscles and decreasedĀ flexibility make turning the wheel, pushing pedals, and checking blindĀ spots more difficult, and many seniors are also unaware of potential effects their medications may haveĀ on driving ability, which makes their timeĀ on the road more dangerousĀ forĀ bothĀ themselves and others.Ā Ā Ā 

Other age-related issues can also impair seniors’ ability to drive safely. For instance, the CDC reportsĀ thatĀ with age,Ā eye disease becomes more common, peripheral vision becomes poorer, and theĀ eyes need moreĀ light as well asĀ more time to adjust to changes in lightĀ ā€”Ā all of which can severely hamper a personā€™s ability to drive safely. Likewise, hearing loss can cause an older driver to missĀ horns or sirens that signal danger.Ā Ā 

Diabetes, sleep apnea, and otherĀ health problemsĀ that are commonĀ in seniors can cause fatigue and lead toĀ drowsy driving,Ā whileĀ arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and other problems with strength, range of motion, flexibility, orĀ coordination can impair performance behindĀ the wheel. Cognition issues may create danger, too; when seniors becomeĀ overwhelmed orĀ struggleĀ with decision making, reaction time, or memory, itĀ canĀ greatly affect their ability toĀ drive safely.Ā 

Seniors Are Also at aĀ Higher Risk of InjuryĀ in Car CrashesĀ 

Although some of the factors listed aboveĀ increase seniorsā€™ risk for a crash, they arenā€™tĀ theĀ primaryĀ reasonsĀ the death risk for seniorsĀ in car accidents isĀ so high. The main problem is thatĀ seniors areĀ moreĀ likely toĀ suffer injuriesĀ in aĀ collisionĀ of any severity and at any speed, according to AAA, and they areĀ much more likely than any other age groupĀ to die from theseĀ injuries. The risk ofĀ post-accidentĀ medicalĀ complications isĀ also higher for seniors, andĀ theirĀ recovery timesĀ tendĀ to be longerĀ as well.Ā Overall, car accidents are the second most common cause of injury to seniors, according to the CDC.Ā 

Several factors combine to make seniors more vulnerable to fatal injuries in a crash. BonesĀ tend to become more fragile with age, so theyĀ break more easilyĀ and heal more slowly. Meanwhile, conditionsĀ like diabetes or heart disease, which are common among seniors,Ā canĀ complicate a post-accident recovery.Ā 

How to Improve DrivingĀ SafetyĀ for SeniorsĀ 

All drivers, including seniors, should take stepsĀ to decrease the risk of a deadly or debilitating car accident. The CDC listsĀ several importantĀ tipsĀ to improve your odds of avoiding a crashĀ when on the road:Ā 

  • Try to driveĀ mostlyĀ during the day and in good weather.Ā 
  • Keep a safe stopping distance between yourself and the car ahead of you. Contrary to a popular rule that says you need 3 car lengths between you and the vehicleĀ ahead of you, you should give yourselfĀ at leastĀ 6 car lengthsĀ of spaceĀ at 30 miles per hour andĀ 23 car lengthsĀ when going 70!Ā 
  • Plan your route ahead of time. Choose roads that are well-litĀ andĀ less traveled, andĀ thatĀ haveĀ easy access to parking. Try toĀ only make left turns at intersectionsĀ with a dedicated leftĀ turnĀ lane andĀ signal.Ā 
  • Eliminate distractions, and never driveĀ ifĀ you areĀ feeling unwell or if your reflexes and judgment are impaired.Ā 
  • Exercise regularlyĀ to increase strength and flexibility, and always wearĀ eyewear with the proper prescription if you require it.Ā 
  • If youā€™re not able to drive safely, then use public transportation or ask someone else to drive.Ā 

Crosley Law: Advocating for Car Accident Victims of All AgesĀ 

No matter how safe a driver you are, you canā€™tĀ control what other people doĀ on the road, and thereā€™s no way to eliminate theĀ risk of being involved in a carĀ crash. If you are injured by another driver, you may be able to collect damages, even if your injuriesĀ are made worse due to aĀ pre-existing condition.Ā 

If you have lost a loved one orĀ have become injured due toĀ someone else’s unsafe driving,Ā Crosley LawĀ FirmĀ may be able toĀ help.Ā You can get in touch with our offices usingĀ our convenient online form, orĀ you canĀ give us a call at 210-LAW-3000Ā | 210-529-3000.Ā We offer free consultationsĀ so you can tell us the details of your story, and we are happy toĀ offer you candid legal adviceĀ that applies to your unique situation. IfĀ weā€™re able to takeĀ your case,Ā thenĀ you won’t have to pay anything unless we win your caseĀ in courtĀ orĀ achieveĀ a settlement.Ā 

ReferencesĀ 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, March).Ā Older drivers in the workplace: How employers and workers can prevent crashesĀ (publication no. 2016-116). CDC.Ā Retrieved fromĀ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-116/pdfs/2016-116.pdfĀ 

Facts & research. (2017).Ā American Automobile Association.Ā Retrieved fromĀ http://seniordriving.aaa.com/resources-family-friends/conversations-about-driving/facts-research/Ā 

Older adult drivers. (2017, April 7).Ā Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ā Retrieved fromĀ https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/older_adult_drivers/index.htmlĀ