South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
The issue of whether older people should continue to drive into their old age is often a contentious one. Some older individuals are alert and independent and have no problems on the road. Others, however, display signs of risky behavior that could be considered dangerous on the road.
In Caring.com’s 2015 Senior Driving study, it was estimated that about 14 million Americans had been involved in a car accident caused by an elderly driver in the prior year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that around 586 elderly drivers are injured and 15 are killed in motor vehicle wrecks in the United States each day.
Caring.com’s findings also included the 10 safest states for older drivers. Florida made the top 10 safest states for older drivers, along with Connecticut, Alaska, North Dakota, New Mexico, and more. The study was conducted by comparing the number of fatal collision victims aged 65 years or older in a state with that age group’s share of the state population. In Florida, the ratio of car accident-related fatalities among the state’s 65 and older population (19 percent) matched up with the number of seniors in the state (19 percent as well). One factor that makes Florida one of the safest states for elderly drivers may have to do with the requirements for regular renewals and vision tests for drivers who are 80 years old and above.
Whether you have been hurt by an elder or as an elder, we can help you understand your legal rights and options. A motor vehicle accident victim can pursue compensation for his or her injuries through a negligence claim against the at-fault party. Negligence lawsuits allege that the at-fault party failed to use reasonable care behind the wheel, which was a direct cause of the wreck and the resulting harm. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent person would act under the same or similar circumstances. For example, if a driver caused an accident due to excessive speeding, that driver would likely be liable for any resulting harm because a driver using reasonable care would understand the risks of excessively speeding.
Once negligence is established, the victim may be able to recover many different types of damages, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage, and any other costs arising from the accident. The damages can come through a settlement or through a jury award. The compensation may be given in a lump-sum form or in installments over time. This is something that will vary depending on the specifics of the case.
If you have been injured by an elderly driver or know an elderly driver who has been injured, we can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami car accident attorneys can thoroughly examine the facts of your case and help determine the cause of the accident. You can rest assured that we can vigorously advocate for your rights at every step of the way. We believe that having the right attorney on your side can make all the difference in your case. For more information, call us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or contact us online today.
More Blog Posts:
Stages of a Florida Personal Injury Case, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, August 5, 2016
Injuries at Florida Outdoor Events, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, August 5, 2016
Fireworks Injuries on the Fourth of July in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, August 5, 2016