Older drivers making car accident claims for personal injuries

Although older drivers are less likely to be involved in road traffic accidents, recent studies have shown that if a crash did occur, they would be the most likely road users to suffer severe personal injuries. These personal injuries require a car accident claim to be made.

Despite having such a wealth of knowledge, time takes its toll on everybody. So even though an elderly driver might have years of motoring experience, their physical abilities such as eyesight and hearing may have deteriorated.

But of course, not all elderly drivers will face making car accident claims for the same personal injuries. As individuals grow older they will age differently to others in their age bracket and it would not be unusual to see an 80-year-old driver who has similar physical abilities to a 60-year-old and visa versa.

Car accident rate statistics
A study into the differences between younger and older drivers in 2004 revealed that the death rate amongst drivers per 100,00 population was three times higher for 16-19 year-olds compared to 40-49 year-olds and four times higher than 50-59 year-olds and 60-69 year-olds.

The same study also discovered that elderly drivers are more likely to make car accident claims for motor accidents as their decreased fitness levels make them between two and five times more likely to suffer serious if not fatal injuries in a crash when compared to younger drivers.

To reinforce this research, figures from 2004 showed that there were 11,017 drivers aged 16-19 injured in car crashes, for which 151 were killed. In the same year there were 1,669 drivers aged 80 and over injured in crashes, for which 82 were killed.

What are the physical problems?
As we get older, the risk of us needing to make car accident claims for injuries is heightened because our general fitness has degenerated over the years and such things as our reaction times have been severely affected. A study into drivers reaction times showed that motorists aged 52 and above actually took 22% longer to react to hazards compared to divers aged under 30.

These reaction times could have devastating consequences and could lead to a number of drivers needing to contact personal injury solicitors to make car accident claims. Road accidents could be caused because of the following impairments:

Eyesight - If the eyesight of an older driver has deteriorated, it could make it harder for them to drive at night time or when there is a strong sun glare. They may also find it difficult to read road sign and with a slower reaction time they could take longer to process the information.

Hearing - Older drivers may also be at risk of making car accident claims because their hearing has failed to detect a potential hazard or an approaching emergency vehicle.

Movement - As people grow older their muscles and joints become stiff and could make it harder for them to turn their head and body when looking for potential dangers.

Medicines - A great number of people will take medicines as they become older to deal with health problems and by taking medication motorists could be at risk of feeling drowsy behind the wheel. This could lead to older drivers being involved in road accidents, for which they may have to make car accident claims for.

How to make a car accident claim
If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries in a vehicle accident that wasn't you fault, you may be able to make a car accident claim with Car Accident Advice Line.

Here at Car Accident Advice Line, we know how distressing it can be following a car crash and we aim to make the compensation process as easy as possible.

We work with a panel of personal injury solicitors, who over the years have achieved a fantastic success rate and so you can feel assured that they will work hard to secure you injury compensation.

When you make a no win, no fee car accident claim with us, we won't charge you a single penny and you will receive 100% of the damages awarded.

To get you car accident claim underway today, why not fill out an online call back form or call us for free on 0808 143 43 42.