Bronx Elderly Driver Accident Lawyer

People must have a certain level of health to drive safely. Some people can go well into old age before their health drops to a point where driving becomes unsafe, but many elderly drivers stay behind the wheel longer than they should. Our car accident lawyers in the Bronx have seen many of these accidents.

If you’ve been the victim of an elderly driver’s lack of control over their vehicle, it’s time to reach out to a Bronx elderly driver accident lawyer at Morelli Law. Victims can get compensation for serious injuries caused by elderly drivers, and we’ll make sure you get the most you can from your case.

Dangers of Elderly Drivers

Driving can keep older adults mobile and independent, but our Bronx personal injury lawyers know that the risk of being injured or killed in a car crash rises with age. Driving also becomes more difficult with the challenges of aging.

The National Institutes of Health has named several factors that make driving more dangerous for elderly drivers. Some of these are:

Eyesight

Age can make it harder to see objects and movement. An elderly person might not read a traffic sign and react in time. Strong light from glare and the sun can also blind drivers, and night driving can become quite hazardous.

People over 60 should see an eye doctor at least every two years to check their vision, and must wear prescribed contact lenses or glasses while driving to stay safe. They should also speak with their doctor about any eye diseases they have that could affect driving.

Hearing

An unusual noise while driving can warn us of an approaching problem, whether that is an emergency vehicle or something wrong with the car. Severe hearing loss could make it hard to hear horns. Hearing loss should be checked at least every three years after age 50, or more often if you’re exposed to loud noises regularly.

Nerve and Joint Problems

Reaction time decreases with age. It’s harder to move quickly enough to turn the wheel or hit the brakes before a crash happens if your joints are stiff, your muscles are weak, or you suffer from nerve problems.

There are some car modifications that can help drivers cope with these problems, like hand controls for the brakes and accelerator. However, some health conditions could make driving a bad idea no matter what, like Parkinson’s disease, dementia, or a stroke.

Medications

An elderly person’s medications can also affect their ability to drive. Some come with a warning to avoid driving, but others may not or may only have a problem in combination with other drugs. An elderly person should speak with their pharmacist about drug interactions that could make driving unsafe.

Getting Money for an Elderly Driver Accident

An elderly driver may not intend to get into a crash, but their age or health condition is not a defense against a claim of negligence. If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury standard, or if your damages are over $50,000, then a Bronx elderly driver accident lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries.

If your damages are under that amount, you may be able to get money faster through a claim against your no-fault insurance. However, you can only claim certain damages under most policies. A quick consultation with Morelli Law can help you learn your options, give you a better estimate of your damages, and get you the help you need.

Remember, the vast majority of car accident claims are not paid out-of-pocket by the at-fault driver. They’re paid by insurers. Don’t feel like you need to shoulder the burden yourself because you’re sympathetic to the driver’s age or health condition.

Other Signs a Loved One Should Not Drive

When we investigate an elderly driver accident, there are certain signs that can point to a declining ability to drive. These signs can be used to prove that the elderly driver shouldn’t have been behind the wheel at all, which will make it easier to prove a negligence claim. Some of these signs are:

• More traffic tickets than the average
• Health condition of the elderly driver
• Eyewitness testimony about erratic or dangerous driving
• Testimony from the defendant’s doctor or medical records about driving safety
• Multiple crashes

If you have a loved one that has lost the skill to drive, we encourage you to help them stop. Think about how they can still get to community activities, run errands, and get to appointments before approaching the topic. If you can get them, you could extend their life and save the life of another. Here is a guide from the NHTSA that can help you.

Why Hire a Bronx Elderly Driver Accident Lawyer

Though the other driver may be elderly, you have the right to seek compensation if they harm you in a car crash. A Bronx elderly driver accident lawyer can help you:

• Determining if your case qualifies for a lawsuit
• Gathering evidence about the accident
• Building a case based on that evidence
• Calculating the full value of your claim
• Negotiating with the insurers about your claim
• Taking them to court if they won’t come to a fair settlement
• Keeping you informed of your case progress
• Fight to get you the most compensation possible for case

Morelli Law has successfully represented accident victims in the Bronx for decades. Over the lifetime of our firm, we’ve recovered billions of dollars in victims, including in major court cases. If the insurers try to fight back against your claim, we’re prepared to take them to court.

Contact Morelli Law Today

You may feel sympathetic about what happened to an elderly driver who hit you, but you still need compensation. Make sure you get it from their insurer by speaking with Morelli Law and our team of Bronx elderly driver accident lawyers. All consultations are free and without obligation.