Safe Driving For Older Drivers
Florida is a popular residential location for older people, some of who arrive every winter to temporarily escape the cold back home and others who make the Sunshine State their residence year-round. The Sunshine State is well known for being an accepting and diverse place that welcomes people from every background. However, the large number of older people who are on the roadways also means that there are a large number of people traveling who are part of a vulnerable population and who may be more susceptible to the injuries that can result from car accidents. Additionally, older people may have other physical and mental challenges that make it more difficult to drive safely.
What Example of an Older Person Being Injured in a Car Accident Was Recently in the News?
News 4 Jax recently reported that an older woman was injured in a recent Columbia County crash. The 67-year-old woman was a passenger in a Toyota Tacoma when it was rear-ended, causing it to overturn, leave the roadway and hit a parked car in a parking lot. Authorities have stated that the driver of the other vehicle ran away from the scene of the collision on foot but was captured a short time later and is now facing several criminal charges.
How Dangerous Can Accidents Involving an Older Person Be?
Unfortunately, statistics are grim concerning car accidents involving older drivers. According to data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 18 percent of the traffic fatalities in 2017 included at least one older driver. This equates to almost 7,000 people aged 65 and older who were killed in traffic crashes that year.
How Can I Tell Whether My Loved One Should Stop Driving?
Even if you suspect that it’s time for one of your loved ones to stop driving, this can be one of the most difficult questions that you have ever had to contemplate. This is largely because many older drivers look at driving as a form of independence and even bringing up the subject of driving abilities can make some drivers defensive. Regardless, if you have observed any of the following, especially over time, you should speak up:
- New dents or scratches
- Getting lost on routes that should be familiar
- Not remembering the past few miles driven
- Missing known exits
- Taking a medication that might affect driving safely
- Being seemingly overwhelmed by driving
- Speeding or driving too slowly for no reason
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Car Accident?
Regardless of whether the accident you were involved in involved an older person, you should understand that you have rights under the law to pursue compensation from the responsible parties. As the Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm, we know there’s certainly an increased risk that comes with driving over a certain age. However, we offer support, not judgment, and we are committed to helping accident victims of all ages successfully obtain compensation when accidents when occur. We handle everything from car accidents to truck and motorcycle accident cases and we will fight for you while you focus on recovering. Contact us today and we will begin helping you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Bradenton, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Miami and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
news4jax.com/news/florida/columbia-county/senior-citizen-injured-in-columbia-co-crash
