After you have been injured in a car accident with an elderly driver, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A Wichita Falls elderly driver accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help you fight for compensatory damages so that you can get the resources you need to recover your health and well-being.
To find out more about how we will work to get you the money you deserve, call us today at (877) 239-4878.
Understanding Elderly Driver Involved Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents than middle-aged drivers. There are many reasons for this. According to Accident Analysis & Prevention, the rate of seniors involved in traffic accidents can be attributed to a decline in sensory, perceptive, cognitive, and motor skills.
Some factors that may have played a role in your accident include:
Sensory and Perceptive Decline
Aging is sometimes accompanied by increased difficulty with seeing and hearing, which can make it tough to notice conditions or hazards that lead to accidents. Decreased vision can mean seniors miss red lights, stop signs, and other traffic indicators that are essential for safe driving. They might also not see oncoming traffic, construction, or animals crossing the road until it is too late.
Additionally, environmental factors (like the time of day) can contribute to a senior’s difficulty with seeing. A visually impaired senior may be at fault for not noticing a wrong way sign, but the city may also be at fault if that sign was partially obscured or defaced.
In situations like this, a personal injury lawyer with experience handling elderly driver car accident cases can help you identify the reason for your collision. They can investigate the circumstances of what happened and pursue compensation from the appropriate parties.
Cognitive Decline
The IIHS states that many seniors are aware of their driving-related limitations. However, some seniors continue driving despite these impairments.
Seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other types of mental difficulties may end up feeling confused or disoriented while driving, resulting in accidents. In addition to cognitive decline, medications can also cognitively impair seniors, causing drowsiness or interfering with their ability to drive safely.
If a senior in cognitive decline caused your accident, a Wichita Falls elderly driver accident lawyer can hold them financially accountable for your damages. You can call Loncar Lyon Jenkins at (877) 239-4878 to learn more.
Motor Decline
For a variety of reasons, seniors may have difficulty responding to situations on the road in a timely or effective manner, even if they do perceive them. Arthritis, medication side effects, and other physical limitations may prevent a senior from avoiding an accident.
In fact, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that seniors who have weakened muscles and limited mobility may struggle with gripping the steering wheel or applying their brakes. This can lead to accidents that otherwise could have been avoided by younger drivers.
Additionally, seniors may not have the reflexes they need to respond in time, even if they have the strength. In car accidents, every second counts; delays in a driver’s response time can cause serious injuries and even death.
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What You Can Do After an Elderly Driver Involved Accident
After being involved in an elderly driver traffic accident, you should seek medical treatment for yourself, your loved ones, and other injured parties. Once you are safe, be sure to report the accident so that the police can make an official report of what happened. Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, you are required to notify law enforcement if a car accident results in any deaths or injuries.
You should also collect your own evidence regarding the conditions of the crash site, the severity of your injuries, and the circumstances of the collision. This evidence can be useful if you decide to work with a Wichita Falls elderly driver accident lawyer.
Recoverable Damages in an Accident Caused by an Elderly Driver
Sometimes, prospective clients call our office asking about what types of damages they can recover through a successful personal injury case. Ultimately, the types of damages you can recover will depend on your individual circumstances. Your lawyer can calculate the cost of your damages by reviewing your medical bills, employment records, and property damage receipts.
You may be eligible to recover the following losses:
Medical Bills
The cost of the ambulance ride, hospitalization, and medications can be included in your claim. Your lawyer can also review your health insurance policy to see if you have coverage options.
Pain and Suffering
You can receive compensation for the physical and emotional distress of your collision. A representative from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can provide you with more information regarding how much you can recover for pain and suffering.
Lost Wages
If your injuries caused you to miss time from work, your lost wages can be included in your claim. If your injuries negatively affected your earning power, you can receive compensation for this loss as well.
Property Damage Costs
Your vehicle may have been totaled or severely damaged as a result of the accident. If so, your lawyer can help you receive compensation for the costs associated with fixing or replacing your car.
You may be able to pursue compensation for other damages not included here.
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Bring in the Strong Arm with Loncar Lyon Jenkins
A personal injury lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can safeguard your legal rights and recover compensation on your behalf. We are called the Strong Arm for a reason. We want to be the steady, guiding strength that is at your side as you go through the process of pursuing compensation for your injuries.
Call us today at (877) 239-4878 to learn more about how a Wichita Falls elderly driver accident lawyer can help you.
