Senior Drivers Can Cause Serious Car Accidents

A recent article in the New York Post highlights a fatal accident on the streets of Brooklyn in which a pedestrian was struck and killed by a senior driver. The 40-year-old victim, a Department of Education (DOE) employee, was attempting to cross Pearl Street at 9:30 on a Wednesday morning when she was fatally struck by the older driver’s Ford SUV. Even after fatally striking the woman, the 81-year-old driver continued on, striking a fire hydrant and construction barriers in the process, before finally coming to a complete stop, the police shared. If you have been injured by a negligent driver, consult with an experienced New York personal injury attorney today.

The Accident

The victim was discovered by first responders and was pronounced dead after being rushed to nearby Brooklyn Hospital. The senior driver was treated at the same hospital for the minor injuries he sustained. No immediate charges were brought against him. The DOE shared its grief over the senseless accident and relayed that they have grief counselors available to deal with the difficult emotional aftermath.

Older Drivers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relays that age-related declines may affect the ability of some older motorists to drive safely, including:

• A decline in vision
• A decline in the ability to reason and remember
• Various physical declines

AAA shares further information that may affect senior drivers’ ability to drive safely, including:

• 80 percent of people in their 70s suffer from painful arthritis, which can make maneuvering a vehicle more difficult.
• Senior drivers experience weaker muscles and a reduction in flexibility and range of motion that can inhibit their ability to steer, accelerate, and brake accurately and effectively.
• More than 75 percent of drivers who are 65 years old and older are on at least one medication, but fewer than a third of those drivers are aware of how their medications can potentially affect their driving performance.

Many older drivers are acutely aware of any driving deficiencies they may have and make every effort to mitigate them, including driving during daylight hours, planning their route ahead of time, choosing convenient parking, making lefts at intersections with left-turn lights, and more. Some older drivers, however, do not take the necessary precautions, and dangerous accidents like the one described can ensue.

If Another Driver Leaves You Injured, an Experienced New York City Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Car accidents happen, but we are all responsible for driving as safely as possible within the given circumstances. If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured, the formidable personal injury lawyers at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman in New York City can help. Our law firm is one of the oldest and best established in the City, and our dedicated legal team is committed to using their extensive experience to help guide your case toward its most positive resolution. Your case is important, so please do not hesitate to contact us onlne or call us at 212-285-3300 for more information today.