Are Older Drivers Safe?

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Are Older Drivers Safe?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Driving is one way that older drivers in Chicago are able to remain independent and not have to rely upon friends and family members for rides to and from their destinations. Generally speaking, however, many older drivers suffer from decreased hearing and vision, as well as slower reflexes. Unfortunately, these characteristics can lead to serious motor vehicle crashes on the roadway. 

When an older driver causes a motor vehicle accident, it often calls into question whether the driver should be operating a vehicle at all. If you or someone you love has been injured in a collision that was caused by an older motor vehicle operator, the Chicago car accident lawyers at Malman Law could investigate your accident and determine your eligibility for filing a civil personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver. 

Call us today at (312) 629-0099 or contact us online to learn more about how we could help you pursue monetary compensation for your injuries. 

Older Drivers may be at Risk for Causing an Accident

In some instances, older drivers can pose a risk to other drivers when they are operating their vehicles on the road. Some of the most common reasons why older drivers (especially those who are over the age of 65) pose a risk to other drivers include the following:

• Some older drivers have vision problems, including macular degeneration that is related to their age, glaucoma, cataracts, and complications from diabetes.
• Some older drivers experience issues with mobility, including muscular weakness, mobility issues that result from arthritis in various joints. 
• Some older drivers experience difficulty with their motor function and judgment because of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or depression. 

How Older Drivers Sometimes Cause Accidents

Older drivers, just like their younger counterparts, can cause accidents when they disregard a traffic law or other rules of the road. Negligent driving exhibited by an older driver could include disregarding a stop sign or a red traffic light, speeding, unexpectedly braking or stopping the vehicle, driving the wrong way on the road, failing to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles at the appropriate times, or failing to properly maintain their vehicle.

Proving Negligence against an Older Driver

If you have suffered an injury in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by an older driver, you must still prove negligence on the part of that driver. Specifically, you must be able to demonstrate that the older driver acted in an unreasonable manner, such as by violating a traffic law, and that you suffered one or more physical injuries as a result. 

In order to prove that an older driver was negligent, you may need to gather evidence which supports the driver’s mental or physical condition at the time of the collision, such as the driver’s medical records and any prior accident reports. You might also want to obtain a copy of the individual’s driving record. 

Contact a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision that an older driver caused, the attorneys at Malman Law can assist. To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a Chicago car accident attorney, please call us at (312) 629-0099 or contact us online to learn more.