The baby boomer generation is hitting retirement age, so the population of America’s senior citizens is growing, which means more elderly drivers on our roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 40 million licensed drivers aged 65 and above are on our streets.
While this is generally good news, it also means that we have more elderly driver car crashes than before. If you have been involved in such an accident, contacting a Fort Worth elderly driver accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help you recover compensation for your damages.
Causes of Elderly Driver Car Accidents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, reports that older drivers (over 75) are at the highest risk of car crashes. Age-related declines in eyesight and cognitive functioning are to blame for these accidents. Other common causes of car accidents involving elderly drivers include:
- Too weak to drive properly
- Issues with proper mobility
- Medications that can cause drowsiness
- Medical conditions that may inhibit appropriate driving
- Inconsistent driving patterns (too fast or too slow)
- Failure to yield
- Following too closely
For a free legal consultation with a Elderly Driver Accidents lawyer serving Fort Worth, call 877-239-4878
Eligibility to File an Accident Claim Against an Elderly Driver
Elderly drivers are considered more careful on the roads. However, accidents involving them still occur because of health issues and other factors. If an elderly driver was at fault in your car crash, it might be hard to know how to continue. Nevertheless, a crash is a crash, and you need to sort out compensation or bear the weight of the damages caused alone.
If you believe an elderly driver was at fault for your accident, you can file a claim to recover your compensation. However, you will have to prove that the driver’s negligence or inability to operate the vehicle safely caused the crash, which led to your injuries. You can do this by doing the following:
- Proving the elderly driver owed you a duty of care, which they breached
- Showing the damages and losses suffered due to the accident caused by the elderly driver
Fort Worth Elderly Driver Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-239-4878
Recovering Compensation for Your Losses
Following an elderly driver’s accident, you can recover compensation for your losses depending on how well you argue your case and the evidence you provide. Given that no two elderly car accident claims are the same, there is no specific amount of money that you can recover. Generally, though, you stand a chance of recovering reimbursement for losses such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Medical expenses from the past, present, and future
- Damage to your property (in this case, your vehicle)
- Any out-of-pocket expenses that you might have incurred following the crash
Contact our Fort Worth Elderly Driver Accident Attorneys today
What to Do After a Car Accident Involving an Elderly Driver
Car accidents involving elderly drivers are like any other. Do the following immediately afterwards:
- Call the police and an ambulance
- Get the names and personal contact details of everyone involved, including witnesses.
- If you can, take photographs and videos of the accident scene. Taking photos helps provide raw evidence. You can also take video and photo proof of your injuries.
- Contact an injury lawyer. Do not admit to anything or answer questions you do not know.
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Do I Need a Lawyer for My Car Accident Claim?
Filing a car accident claim against an elderly driver can be tricky. Society treats senior citizens with respect; you may have to go to extensive levels to prove that their negligence caused the accident. For that, hiring an elderly driver accident attorney offers the following:
You Get the Right Legal Advice
Being involved in an accident can cause pain and makes the victims emotional, regardless of who caused it. Unfortunately, emotions inhibit your ability to think straight. As a result, you may make rash decisions and reckless comments that may hinder your chances of recovering your rightful compensation.
By hiring an attorney, they will analyze your case and give you legal options that will help you understand your point better. Then, with the help of a professional, you can choose a path that will help you build a strong case and help you recover your compensation.
Help in Evidence Collection
As you recover from your injuries, your lawyer will be running all your legal tasks, including collecting and submitting crucial evidence. They will also talk to key eyewitnesses and access police reports vital for your case.
Representing You in Negotiations
Every driver in Fort Worth must insure their vehicle. In case of an accident, the insurance company might be responsible for covering any losses. Likewise, if an elderly driver has injured you, their insurer should be liable to compensate you. However, insurance companies are not in the business of dishing out money; they may even fight your claim.
In some cases, the insurance companies’ adjustors will offer you a low offer to avoid a lawsuit. By hiring a lawyer, you do away with these possibilities. An attorney has the right resources to compete with anyone and ensure that all negotiations are in good faith.
Help You File a Lawsuit
Most parties involved in road accidents prefer to solve their issues out of court because of the extra fees needed for litigation. However, if your lawyer fails to reach an agreement with the liable party during the negotiation stage, a lawsuit might be the only option left. A professional can help you with this.
Get Help from a Fort Worth Elderly Driver Accident Attorney Today
Any accident can bring about devastating effects. With more people reaching the retirement age, we have more elderly drivers on the road, meaning we have more accidents caused by them.
At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we help victims file their claims and recover their due compensation. Contact a Fort Worth elderly driver accident lawyer to receive a free case review today. We work on a contingency basis and will not collect any fees unless we win or settle your case.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
