If you recently sustained an injury in a car crash, you could have a wide variety of hardships to deal with. If you are an older adult, the impact of a serious crash is likely particularly devastating. Whether you become immobilized due to injuries, lose your ability to continue living independently or face financial hurdles as a result of medical costs and other expenses, an accident could shatter many aspects of your life.
It is important to understand how widespread traffic crashes involving older adults are, the impact of these collisions and the options available to victims.
Data on traffic collisions involving older adults
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that nearly 200,000 older adults (people 65 and over) received emergency department treatment due to traffic accident injuries in 2020. Moreover, roughly 7,500 older adults died in collisions. Those over 70 are more likely to die in traffic accidents than those between 35 and 54, especially since they are particularly vulnerable during a collision.
Nearly 48 million people 65 and over had a driver’s license in 2020, up by 68% in comparison to 2000.
Preventing and recovering from a crash as an older adult
You can take steps to stay safe on the road as an older adult, such as checking your eyes on an annual basis, carefully planning routes and driving when road conditions are good. Unfortunately, a negligent driver could collide with you no matter how cautious you are. In the aftermath of a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, you need to review all of your options and hold them responsible.
