As a general rule, people experience mental and physical decline as they age. Therefore, it could make it dangerous for older people to driver on highways in Missouri and throughout the country. In 2017, drivers over the age of 65 accounted for 14% of all fatal accidents. In that same year, they accounted for 19% of the overall driving population. According to research published on TheSeniorList.com, Florida, California and New York were among the 10 states with the most fatal accidents involving senior drivers.
New Hampshire, South Dakota and Wyoming were among the states that had the fewest number of fatal crashes involving older drivers. While it may be easy to say that older drivers cause more accidents because of their age, this isn’t necessarily true. It is important to note that the states where fatal accidents caused by seniors were the highest were typically those with the highest populations.
Of course, there could come a time when an older person shouldn’t be driving a car anymore. Family members will need to look closely for signs that their parents or grandparents have lost the cognitive or physical ability to drive safely. Symptoms of such decline could include an inability to see clearly or forgetting the subject of a conversation. Taking action promptly could prevent a potentially fatal accident from occurring.
Victims of car accidents may experience physical injuries as well as changes in mood or personality. A loss of physical or cognitive function after an accident could make it impossible for a victim to return to work or go back to school. An attorney may help an individual pursue compensation to pay for medical expenses or recover lost wages. A driver, a driver’s employer or other parties may all be liable for damages.
