Car accidents among older drivers are of growing concern in this country and are expected to reach epidemic proportions with the retirement of the Baby Boom generation. Studies continue to show that your risk of an accident increases steadily after the age of 75. Drivers over the age of 75 are the most dangerous on the road; their risk is even greater than that of teenagers.
The Boston car accident attorneys at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers understand the issues when it comes to serious and fatal accidents involving elderly drivers. Each year, more than 5,000 drivers over the age of 65 are killed in car accidents on the nation's roads - accounting for about 1 in 6 fatal accidents nationwide. Another 200,000 are injured.
Over the last decade, the number of older drivers on the road has increased by 20 percent. Older residents are also proportionately more prone to being in a fatal pedestrian accident.
Boston Accident Claims and Senior DriversAt Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys understand the increased risk older drivers face on the road. Most often, these drivers make concessions to age and are simply trying to maintain freedom and independence; most accidents happen during the day and during the workweek.
In many cases, an older driver is not at fault. However, an accident involving a senior is more likely to result in serious or fatal injuries, significant ongoing medical issues and a reduced quality of life. Older adults are slower to heal, are more prone to medical complications and may be unable to withstand the rigors of surgery or other medical treatment.
As retirees, their cases are may be complicated by the fact that they are no longer earning a living; thus, an insurance company may not offer fair compensation unless a victim is represented by an experienced law firm.
Conversely, when an older driver is at fault, a thorough investigation can reveal the extent of driver impairment. Vision, hearing, reflexes and cognitive ability decline with age. Proving the causes of the accident can assist an injury victim in recovering the compensation he or she deserves for lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Massachusetts Driving Tips for SeniorsThe AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety offers a number of resources for older drivers, including:
When speaking with older family members it's important to remember it's an issue of freedom and mobility. An older adult is more likely to hang up the keys when alternative measures permit them to remain free and independent. As such, it's often important to start these conversations well in advance. Downsizing to a condo on the bus line, for instance, or finding an appropriate assisted-living community, can be early steps designed to keep an elderly loved one safe.
If your family is dealing with a Massachusetts car accident involving an older loved one, contact the Boston personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
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