Green Bay car accident lawyer elderly driverIn February 2019, an elderly woman was fatally injured in a car accident on Wisconsin’s I-43 highway. The woman lost control of her vehicle and swerved off the road. By the time emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene, the woman had already passed away. This incident demonstrated the risks faced by many elderly drivers. Studies have shown that elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle collisions when compared to many other age demographics. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving an elderly driver, you should seek out legal assistance immediately. 

Elderly Driver Car Accident Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were approximately 42 million licensed American drivers over the age of 65 in 2016. Sadly, the likelihood of a dangerous collision increases with a driver’s age. Throughout 2016 alone, 7, 400 elderly Americans (ages 65 and older) were fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions. In all, a shocking 290, 000 elderly passengers suffered injuries that required hospitalization in 2016. 

How You Can Help

As drivers age, they begin to face cognitive difficulties that can impact their ability to drive. From lessening vision to declining reaction time, it is important to understand how an elderly driver’s health conditions can affect their driving ability from year to year. 

Other simple safety steps you can take to try and minimize risk to an elderly driver include ensuring that your family member or friend avoids driving during dangerous weather and at times of day with low visibility. 

Contact a Green Bay Car Accident Lawyer

At Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., our legal team is prepared to help your family secure maximum compensation in the event of a car accident. In a large number of cases, motor vehicle collisions are caused by driver negligence such as speeding or texting while driving. If a member of your family is injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should understand your options for pursuing compensation from a negligent driver. To schedule a free consultation with an Appleton personal injury attorney, call us today at 970-225-2190. 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/older_adult_drivers/index.html

https://fox6now.com/2019/02/16/traffic-alert-crash-closes-all-nb-lanes-of-i-43-near-wisconsin-60-in-ozaukee-county/