Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Senior Drivers: Risks and Safety Concerns (Part B)
As difficult and uncomfortable as the task might be, it is vital that senior drivers who are no longer safe drivers are kept from the roadways. Not only are they a danger to others, but the chances of an older driver surviving a serious car accident greatly diminish as they age.
Warning Signs that Senior Drivers Should Stop Driving
Some habits or warning signs associated with older drivers that can lead to car accidents include:
- Failure to use turn signals, or forgetting to turn off a signal after use.
- Slowing or stopping in the middle of traffic without cause or indication.
- Stopping or slowing at green lights, or neglecting to stop at red lights and stop signs.
- Mixing up the gas and brake pedals.
- Changing lanes suddenly, or “drifting” into other lanes.
- Driving far above or far below the posted speed limit.
- Near-misses or side-swipes with posts, other cars, pedestrians, bikers and the like.
- Trouble with reaction time, range-of-motion and attentiveness.
- Reversing in traffic
- A decrease in confidence, leading to hesitation, nervousness and inability to make quick, split-second decisions.
In some cases, it might be necessary to consult a doctor, health care professional or police officer in order to assess an older driver’s skills and road safety. A doctor can assist in keeping an at-risk elderly driver off of the road by submitting a report to a state driver’s license authority that indicates their concerns.
It is tough to tell a loved one that they can no longer drive, but it is far more difficult to deal with the pain and consequences of an accident caused by an older driver who no longer should have been behind the wheel.
If you have been injured by a senior driver whose negligent actions caused a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
When selecting a Boston personal injury attorney you’ll want to ask critical questions such as:
- How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
- What is your experience with senior driver car accident injuries in Boston, Massachusetts?
- What is the biggest settlement you have won for your clients?
For over 30 years, the Kiley Law Group, located in Boston and Andover, Massachusetts, has fought on behalf of car accident victims. Known as the “Million Dollar Man“, Tom Kiley has secured 7-figure settlements for his clients in a variety of personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Mr. Kiley’s firm works with you on a contingency basis, which means there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case.
Call now for a FREE Initial Consultation.
