Many people of advanced age are able to operate their cars just as well now as they were able to when they were younger. Unfortunately, some older drivers experience physical or cognitive limitations that affect their ability to drive safely. Either way, a single reckless or careless act behind the wheel can have life-altering consequences for them and everyone else nearby.
If you were hurt recently in an elderly driving car accident that was not your fault, you have the same right to seek financial restitution for your crash-related losses as anyone else injured through another person’s negligence. That said, it can still be difficult to achieve a favorable case outcome under circumstances like this without the support of a seasoned legal professional. Fortunately, this support is available to you from the dedicated attorneys at Phillips Law Group, who have experience with elderly driving car accidents in Tucson.
Although many people might assume otherwise, people over the age of 65 are fairly safe drivers in the aggregate, often because they act responsibly by limiting their driving to specific times and locations to take into account potential problems such as declining eyesight. However, once an elderly driver gets out on the road, they are subject to the same duty of care as all other drivers, requiring them to act lawfully and responsibly at all times. Regardless of exactly why or how they violate that duty, they are liable for any injuries they cause through such a violation.
Importantly, this means that an elderly driver who causes a car crash in Tucson because they had an unexpected health problem while driving is still legally liable for harm stemming from that incident. Even if they did not intentionally or even consciously do anything wrong, their inability to drive safely was still the primary reason why the crash happened in the first place. As a result, they—or, as is more often the case in practice, their auto insurance provider—would likely still be liable for damages.
Compensable losses in a car accident claim against an elderly driver in Tucson can include both economic and non-economic forms of harm, including:
It is worth mentioning that if an elderly driver is no longer legally licensed to drive because of severe physical or cognitive decline, anyone who knowingly or negligently allows them to drive a motor vehicle may hold partial liability for an ensuing accident. The legal team at Phillips Law Group can discuss this and other potential avenues for financial recovery during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Not every elderly driver is a dangerous driver, just as not every teen is an irresponsible driver. Nevertheless, elderly drivers who do cause accidents can also cause people involved in those crashes to suffer particularly severe injuries, especially if the incident occurs because of a serious medical problem or a significant problem with cognition.
It is important to be proactive about seeking financial recovery after a crash, and the help of a seasoned legal professional with experience in handling claims involving elderly driving car accidents in Tucson can be crucial to enforcing your rights. Call Phillips Law Group today to learn what their team can do for you.
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