If you were in an accident caused by an elderly driver, a Long Island elderly driver accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can help you fight for your legal rights.
The potentially recoverable damages in this type of case may include your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Our team can work with you to evaluate your damages and determine what a fair amount of compensation may be in your claim.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for your free consultation with a member of our team. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning we do not get paid unless you receive a settlement offer or court award.
Elderly Driving Risks
When people cannot drive, they have to rely on others to take them to appointments, buy groceries, pick up their medications, and run any other errands they need to run.
Driving is a way for people to maintain their freedom and way of life. However, driving at a certain age can be dangerous to the driver and those around them. As people age, they could experience the following, which may increase their risk for causing a car accident:
Decreased Hearing and Vision
As people get older, their hearing and vision may decrease. When drivers have trouble seeing, they may have trouble staying in their lane on the road or noticing traffic signs and signals. They may also have difficulty determining how far ahead a vehicle is.
Hearing is also important while driving. A driver needs to be able to hear the horns of other vehicles and the sound of oncoming emergency vehicles.
Long Island Elderly Driver Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Delayed Response Time
Elderly drivers may have shorter response times than younger drivers. According to a study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, muscle function and cognitive ability in the elderly may be affected by age. This can decrease reaction time during driving.
When response times are delayed, drivers may not have as much time to react to changing traffic lights, vehicles in their path, or objects that cross their path.
Difficulty Moving
Conditions like arthritis can affect an elderly driver’s mobility. Arthritis causes the joints to be inflamed and more challenging to move. Driving requires a certain range of motion to be able to turn the steering wheel, shift gears, and push the brake and gas. Without this full range of motion, a driver may not be able to drive safely and effectively.
Cognitive Impairment
When driving, it is important to be able to focus on the road ahead entirely. The elderly may suffer from conditions that affect cognitive ability, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. In addition, certain medications can affect cognitive abilities. A driver must be able to make decisions on the spot and have quick response times. Some medicines and conditions can reduce the driver’s ability to make clear decisions.
Proving Liability in a Car Accident Case
In order to recover compensation for your accident, you may need to present evidence that the responsible driver’s negligence caused your accident.
In a car accident case, driver negligence may be established with actions such as:
- Making an illegal lane change
- Failing to yield
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Making an illegal turn
- Not leaving a safe stopping distance
- Falling asleep behind the wheel
- Driving against traffic
- Other violations of traffic law
A Long Island elderly driver accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can help you identify the negligent action that caused your accident. We can also collect evidence to demonstrate this negligence to the responsible party’s insurance company. This evidence may include:
- Photographs
- Video surveillance
- Dashcam footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimony
- Doctor’s statements
- Mechanic’s statements
To learn more about your legal options in a free case review with a member of our team, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800.
Compensation in a Car Accident Case
If you were hurt in an accident caused by an elderly driver, you could be entitled to compensation to cover the damages you sustained, such as:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Property damages
- Loss of income for any time that your accident or recovery period forced you to miss work
- A decrease in salary, if applicable
- Pain and suffering
Morelli Law Firm can help you determine which damages you may be able to claim in your case when we represent you.
The Deadline to Sue in New York
According to New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CVP) §214, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York. If you do not take legal action within three years of your accident, you may be unable to recover compensation for your damages via a lawsuit.
Morelli Law Firm handles all deadlines and paperwork on behalf of our clients. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start working for you.
Get a Free Case Review from Morelli Law Firm
You do not have to fight for your rights on your own. A Long Island elderly driver accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to coordinate all aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery.
In addition to the evidence gathering, we can manage the communications and settlement negotiations on your behalf. We can also represent you at trial, if necessary.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for your free consultation with a member of our case accident team. We can discuss your accident, your legal options, and our services during this call.
Morelli Law Firm works on a contingency-fee-basis with no up-front payments required.