Elderly drivers are not the cause of Maryland auto accidents — They’re the victims

There tends to be a lot of media attention surrounding older drivers and whether or not they are safe behind the wheel.

However, a 2007 study done by the RAND Institute for Civil Justice discovered that elderly drivers are not nearly as much of a risk for causing car accidents as young drivers.

In fact, according to their statistics, a driver age 65 and older has a mere 15% higher chance of causing a crash than an adult driver aged 25 to 64. Teens through age 24, on the other hand, are a whopping 188% more likely to cause an accident.

The study attributes these somewhat surprising statistics in large part to the wisdom of older drivers in learning to adjust their driving habits to any changes in their skill.

Most elderly drivers understand that their reaction time has declined or that their eyesight or hearing is not what it once was. They compensate by being extra vigilant on the road and driving less often in traffic or at nighttime.

In many cases, elderly drivers will voluntarily give up their license if they feel they are no longer safe drivers.

Despite their best efforts to stay safe on the road, if an elderly driver causes or is involved in a Maryland car accident, their fragile health makes them more likely to be injured or killed in the crash.

Overall, the fatality rate for elderly drivers has declined due to safer vehicles and better health care, but this age group is at a much higher risk for injury in an accident than are younger drivers.

Brittle bones can break more easily, and injury to previously injured body parts, such as a bad hip, knee or back, can lead to more serious problems.

Additionally, while a younger person might recover from surgery within weeks, the same surgery often requires a much longer healing time for an elderly person.

If you or an elderly family member has been injured in a Maryland car crash, don't take it lightly.
Recovery may take longer than expected. You may want to talk to an experienced Frederick personal injury lawyer who can help you get compensation for those expensive medical bills.