Get the Facts about Seniors and Auto Accidents
In today’s society, most people spend a great deal of their time driving on the road. Getting back and forth to work and social events can cause some people to spend hours a day in their vehicle. With this amount of time spent on the road, it makes sense that most people will get in an auto accident, often resulting in personal injury, at some point in their lives. Even so, statistics continue to show that the risks and consequences of an auto accident are greater for some than for others. Auto accidents involving seniors in Daytona Beach happen with great frequency and often result in very serious injuries for those involved. Because these auto accidents often have such severe physical and financial consequences, we urge victims of these collisions to seek legal advice from the auto accident attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau.
The Increased Risk of Auto Accidents for Seniors
There tends to be a stigma around seniors that lead many others to assume that seniors make bad drivers. While senior drivers have been shown to experience a slower reaction time as they age and may experience other medical conditions that can affect their abilities, there is not much evidence that shows that senior drivers are involved in auto accidents significantly more often than drivers from other age groups. While aging can put some limitations on people, as a whole, seniors seem to be aware of these limitations and make decisions accordingly. In fact, data shows that senior drivers are more likely to wear a seatbelt, have lower instances of DUI, and are more likely to refrain from driving during unsafe conditions (such as bad weather). Despite these precautions, driving and the risk of an auto accident is high for seniors (just as it is for other drivers) and, unfortunately, statistics do show that seniors involved in auto accidents have a greater risk of suffering serious injury or death than younger drivers. Below are some startling facts regarding seniors and auto accidents:
- On average, there are over 500 seniors injured and 15 seniors killed in auto accidents each day
- Statistically, the risk of fatality from a car crash increases when a person reaches the age of 75 and then increases again significantly once a person reaches the age of 80
- Despite accounting for just around 9 percent of the population, seniors make up about 14 percent of fatal car accidents
- Fatality rates for senior drivers are 17 times higher than those of younger drivers
Because the risks of an auto accident are so high for seniors, it is especially important for these drivers to take precautions to stay safe on the road. Seniors should report any medical conditions to their doctor and should be aware of any potential medication side effects. By being aware of their own health and limitations, seniors can help to reduce their risk of being involved in a damaging car accident.
Contact Us
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident and have suffered a personal injury as a result, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The attorneys at Chanfau & Chanfrau can listen to the details of your accident and determine if you have a case worth pursuing. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you.