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ELDERLY DRIVER ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

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OLDER DRIVER ACCIDENT LAWYERS

Strategic Representation to Help Victims Recover When It Matters Most

Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death among those 65 and older (source: CDC). While the elderly can be some of the most vulnerable travelers on the roads, they may also present some distinct risks behind the wheel. In fact, advancing age can impair the ability to safely control vehicles — and older drivers are involved in certain types of crashes at a far greater rate than younger motorists (source: IIHS).

Whether you are an elderly accident victim or you’ve been hit by an older driver, you can turn to Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers for experienced help with your claim and recovery.

Our 5-star elderly driver accident attorneys have more than 20 years of experience advocating victims’ rights to fair recoveries and justice. Known for excellence in and outside the courtroom, we have the skills, dedication, and resources to provide outstanding representation, client-centered service, and optimal resolutions.

That’s why we’re recognized as leading car accident attorneys in Louisiana and Texas. And it’s why you can count on our lawyers when it’s time to file a case and secure justice.

Simply contact Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers for case-specific answers and advice whenever you need it. We are ready to help and advise you 24/7.

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Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers has an unrivaled record of success

in all types of elderly driver car accident claims. We are ready to make your claim and recovery our next victory.

Click on a link below to jump directly to any section and get more answers about elderly driver accidents and what victims need to know after these wrecks.

Claire
Elderly driver

What Car Accident Risks Are Associated with Older Drivers?

Motorists who are 65 and older can develop age-related health issues that can impair their vision, cognition, and physical abilities in general. That fact alone can create risks like (but not limited to):

  • Perception impairments:

    When crashes are caused by the mistakes of drivers over the age 70, the top three most common errors include surveillance failures (not looking around at their surroundings), misjudging the distance between their vehicle and others on the road, and misjudging others’ speeds (sources: IIHS).

  • A limited ability to operate vehicles in more complicated situations:

    Navigating safely in complex traffic conditions, meaning those requiring judgment calls, can also be more challenging for elderly motorists. Those circumstances can include left-hand turns, merging traffic, and larger intersections. Additionally, the elderly can suffer from conditions like arthritis, which could make it more difficult to grip and control steering wheels, for instance.

  • Medication-related impairments:

    Elderly motorists are more likely than younger drivers to be on medications, and medication can impair the elderly more than those who are younger.

Beyond these factors,

older drivers can be negligent on the roads in the ways any other motorists may be. That could mean anything from distracted and drunk driving to aggressive driving or violating traffic laws.
Those driver-related risks can be amplified when the roads are unsafe, the weather’s poor, or vehicles experience equipment problems. With any of those factors, it can be much more challenging for elderly drivers to see, assess, and safely navigate the roads.

Elderly Driver Car Accident Statistics

The latest statistics on elderly driver crashes spotlights just how often older drivers are in wrecks and what the impacts of those crashes are (sources: NSC & IIHS):
  • Older drivers are more likely than younger motorists to be involved in merging accidents and intersection car crashes.
  • Motorists who are 80 or older are twice as likely to be involved in a multiple-vehicle intersection crash when compared to drivers who are 59 or younger.
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way is the number one accident-causing error that older drivers make behind the wheel.
  • Nearly 3 out of every 4 people killed in an elderly driver car crash are older drivers or older passengers.
  • The incidence of fatal elderly driver car accidents has increased by more than 32% since 2010.
  • While older drivers are not necessarily involved in more overall crashes than motorists of other ages, elderly drivers are more likely to suffer fatal injuries due to physical frailties and fragilities.

As important as these facts are,

 they do not convey the pain and trauma even just one elderly driver accident can cause. These statistics also don’t directly help the victims of elderly driver crashes. Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers can, however.

We know how damaging these traffic wrecks can be, and we know how to help the injured build strong cases and win fair compensation, even in the toughest circumstances. Find out how we can help you during a free, confidential consultation.

Who Is At Fault for Elderly Driver Car Accidents?

If an older driver caused the car crash, that person will be at least one of the liable parties. Of course, you may not know whether another driver was elderly or how to find out more about fault. Whether or not you have a notion of who hit you, it’s generally in your best interests to:

  • Investigate the elderly driver crash:

    Look at the facts you know and the evidence you have, like accident pictures or information from witnesses. Also, check out a copy of the police report if or when it becomes available. These initial steps can lead you to more evidence while highlighting fault — and how to prove it.

  • Speak to an elderly driver accident attorney:

    Negligent motorists aside, other at-fault parties may be more challenging to identify and hold accountable. By talking to a lawyer, you can get professional insights about a claim, whether more than one party is responsible, and what to do next.
Senior couple driving car

The elderly driver accident lawyers at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers can tell you who’s at fault

for your collision and your best recovery options after hearing more about your situation. Until then, here are some facts that are generally important to understand about fault for elderly driver accidents:
  • Fault can be tricky to pinpoint after some elderly driver accidents, especially in multi-vehicle wrecks involving several motorists who are potentially negligent.
  • Blame can wrongly be attributed to victims. At-fault parties may try to take the heat off themselves and blame victims. In other cases, superficial investigations or unclear evidence may lead to victims getting wrongly blamed. It’s even more essential to retain an attorney in these cases.
  • There is not a lot of time to take action. There are filing deadlines, and you can’t expect key evidence to be at your disposal for months on end. In fact, if others expect claims to be filed, they may only keep evidence that supports their version of the events. This is just one more reason to have Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers on your side. We can help you anticipate these and other issues, protecting your rights while working to help you to recover.

How to Avoid an Elderly Driver Accident: 7 Tips

If you or a loved one is at least 65 years old, here’s what you can do to stay safe on the roads and reduce your risk of an elderly driver crash:
Senior person driving a car
Get your vision checked annually and wear any prescribed glasses (or contacts) you need when driving.
1
Review medication side effects and potential interactions with a doctor or pharmacist.
2
Stay off the roads at night and in bad weather whenever possible.
3
Always follow the rules of the road and give 100% of your attention to the job of driving.
4
Always leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the vehicle you’re following.
5
Always buckle up, whether you’re driving or riding as a passenger.
6
Never drive while impaired.
7
While these tips can do a lot to help you avoid wrecks, you never know what’s going on with others on the roads. If they end up causing crashes, it’s time to turn to Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.

Get Confidential Answers & Advice from a 5-Star Elderly Driver Accident Lawyer 24/7

After a wreck, you may only have one chance to get justice and recover. No matter how old you or the at-fault parties may be, you can put your best foot forward and make that chance really count by retaining a 5-star elderly driver accident attorney at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.

Experienced, relentless, and fearless, we are proud to advocate for victims just like you, providing the exceptional representation and compassionate service that we would expect in your shoes. Discover the difference our team can make in your claim and recovery by contacting us today.

“We focus on being the best at 3 things: preparing hard for our cases, making sure we deliver what clients need, and making sure they are treated well throughout the process.”

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