Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Involved in a Car Accident with a Senior? (Part A)
If you were in a car accident with a senior driver who is close to you, you are both victims of unsafe senior driving. Even if your relationship has suffered from the accident, you are still uniquely positioned to point your friend or family member in the right direction, away from dangerous driving habits.
Let’s say you were riding alongside your 79-year-old father who was driving:
The light turned green, he misjudged car intervals and tried to turn left, plowing into an oncoming vehicle. Both cars, drivers and any or all of the passengers may have been injured, along with pedestrians crossing the street.
Failing to yield is a common offense with older drivers and a warning sign of declining ability.
You may have questioned your father’s driving abilities before but said nothing. Or you may have raised the issue, but were ignored.
A serious traffic accident, or even a flurry of seemingly minor citations, may indicate that it’s time to evaluate a senior’s health and driving skills. The results will help you decide what steps to take in order to avoid any more accidents, lawsuits or guilt for harming or even killing others.
An auto accident can ruin your life. If you have been injured in a car crash in Boston or Andover you should contact an attorney immediately for guidance. Massachusetts has a statute of limitations that may prohibit you from filing a law suit. Contact Kiley Law Group for guidance on your personal injury case.
Assess Seniors’ Driving Safety Levels
After recovering from an accident, it may take seniors a while to regain their confidence as drivers. Ride in the front seat the next time your relative gets behind the wheel. Are you comfortable as their passenger? Watch how they follow traffic laws and respond to environmental conditions. Do reaction times or depth perception seem hampered? Are their hearing and eyesight adequate for both day and night driving?
Signs of unsafe driving:
- Lack of signaling;
- Rushed lane changes;
- Crossing over the center line;
- Entering other drivers’ space;
- Screeching stops or accelerations; and
- Failure to check the blind spot.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact a top rated Boston car accident attorney at Kiley Law Group, LLP.
Call 1-888-208-1695 for a Free Consultation.
Continue to Involved in a Car Crash with a Senior? (Part B) >>
