For the elderly, driving has really become a way of life. It has grown in popularity over the past few decades, and there are more elderly drivers on the road than ever.
Recent statistics from the CDC show that there were 44 million drivers in 2017 who were at least 65 years old. This only accounts for licensed drivers. Still, the total was a staggering 63% higher than the same age group in 1999. It’s clear that older individuals embrace driving now in a way they simply never did before.
For some, this is definitely a positive change. They feel independent for far longer. As life expectancy continues to climb and people live longer lives, that’s important. Some even continue working beyond the traditional retirement age.
The flip side of the coin, though, is that the crash fatality rates for this age group tend to be high. This does not always mean they are poor drivers. Much of the time, what it really means is simply that the elderly have frail bodies that cannot recover from the types of injuries that younger drivers may live through.
If a 20-year-old driver runs a red light and hits a car driven by an 70-year-old driver, the young driver who caused it may walk away from an accident that takes the older driver’s life. That’s a serious risk these drivers need to consider.
Regardless of your own age, have you gotten injured in an accident with an elderly driver? Or did you lose an elderly loved one in a crash? It’s important for you and your family to understand your legal options for fair compensation.
