An Auto Accident Attorney: Driving Advice for Seniors

Auto accident attorneys know that senior citizens have a higher chance of causing car accidents than younger drivers. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seniors account for approximately 12 percent of fatal car accidents each year. Due to declining vision and other physical constraints, driving can become a difficult task for senior citizens, but many elderly drivers continue to get behind the wheel. Despite the increased risk, driving is a necessity for many senior citizens, so to help prevent accidents, an auto accident attorney at Tolbert Beadle, LLC provides some safety tips and legal advice.  

Schedule Hearing and Vision Check-Ups

For senior citizens, loss of vision or hearing is one of the biggest causes of auto accidents. As your vision and hearing abilities decline with age, it becomes difficult to hear oncoming emergency vehicles, read road signs, and judge the distance between your car and others. To lower your risk of accidents, visit an eye doctor or hearing specialist frequently. The earlier you catch and correct vision and hearing problems, the lower your chances are of causing a car accident.

Exercise  

Some senior drivers struggle to perform the physical tasks of driving, such as turning a steering wheel or looking both ways to turn. Although these tasks can become difficult with age, staying physically active allows you to perform them longer. Add some light exercise into your daily routine to keep yourself active, in-shape, and ready to drive.

Refresh Yourself on the Rules of the Road

Although you have been driving for years, it is easy to forget some of the basic rules of the road. As you age, give yourself a little refresher by taking a community driving class or a course at your local DMV. Not only will this help you remember the rules of driving, but it may even lower your car insurance premium, depending on your age and insurance plan.

Avoid Unfavorable Conditions

Regardless of age, driving is always more difficult in unfavorable conditions. Whether it is raining or snowing, driving in bad weather and low light makes it hard to see the road, increasing your chances of getting in an accident. As you get older, avoid driving at night and in inclement weather conditions.

Know Your Legal Rights

Every state has different laws and regulations for elderly drivers. In Missouri, for example, drivers who are older than 70 must renew their license every three years and accept certain driving restrictions if they prove to be unsafe drivers, such as driving with an additional rearview mirror. Keep in mind that you are not every required to relinquish your license at any particular age. As long as you avoid accidents and pass your driver’s tests, you can continue driving. Additionally, keep in mind that someone cannot sue you on account of your age. If you get in an accident and the other driver takes you to court, they must prove negligence. Luckily, age itself does not count as negligence.  If you are an elderly driver who was recently involved in an accident, contact an auto accident attorney to protect your rights.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney

Being able to drive means independence: the ability to go where you want when you want. As a senior citizen, protect your right to drive by staying physically active, mentally alert, and aware of your legal rights. If you were recently involved in a car accident, get in contact with an auto accident attorney at Tolbert Beadle, LLC. At Tolbert Beadle, LLC, we work with you to protect your rights and make sure you receive any compensation you deserve. To set up a consultation at with an auto accident attorney, contact us today.