There are many elderly drivers on the roads in and around New York. These drivers often have years of experience driving. Many people believe this makes older drivers safer on the roads. However, as individuals age, they may develop medical conditions that increase the odds that they could be in an accident.
If an elderly driver in New York struck you, you could be eligible to receive compensation. Find out how by contacting Morelli Law Firm. Reaching us is easy, just call (212) 751-9800. Review your options to secure compensation for your medical expenses and other losses with a New York elderly driver lawyer.
Statistics Regarding Elderly Drivers in the U.S.
Elderly drivers make up a significant portion of the other people operating vehicles on the roads around us. In many situations, older drivers are less likely to cause an accident than younger drivers. However, this begins to change once drivers reach the age of 70. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), drivers over the age of 70 begin to see:
- Increased crash rates per miles traveled
- Increased fatal crash rates per miles traveled
- Increased fatal crash rates per capita
If an elderly driver struck you, you may be able to get compensation to address your healthcare costs and other damages. You may begin working on building a claim right now by contacting Morelli Law Firm to review your legal options.
Causes of Elderly Driver Accidents in New York
Elderly drivers often have extensive experience behind the wheel to draw on as they operate their vehicles. They may be less likely to break traffic laws, such as those related to speeding or reckless driving. These factors may act to decrease the chances of an accident.
However, as individuals age, they go through physical changes. These changes may make it more difficult for an elderly driver to operate a vehicle safely. For example, as drivers in New York age, they may find they have difficulties with their vision or reflexes.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may issue certain restrictions for older drivers, based on their physical abilities. Drivers may be told that they may only operate a vehicle if they are:
- Wearing their hearing aids
- Wearing the proper glasses
- Driving in the daytime
Elderly drivers may even be required to use special equipment while they drive. For example, they may be required to drive a vehicle with hand-operated brakes. However, even with these modifications, older drivers may have slower reactions times. They may also become overwhelmed by traffic. In these situations, they could cause an accident.
New York Elderly Driver Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Types of Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers
Elderly drivers may be involved in any type of accident in New York. However, some kinds of accidents are more common than others. In many situations, we see accidents involving older drivers if they:
- Change lanes unexpectedly or drift into another lane
- Operate their vehicle too slowly or drive too fast
- Do not survey the area before backing up
- Do not properly yield the right of way or stop
A New York elderly driver lawyer may assess the causes of your accident with an elderly driver. You may be able to get compensation in some cases if your lawyer demonstrates that the older driver took a direct action that caused your accident.
In order to investigate your case, a lawyer may visit the scene of the accident. Your lawyer may speak with anyone who saw the accident or even review surveillance footage taken from the scene of the accident, in some situations. This evidence may allow your lawyer to demonstrate that the elderly driver was responsible for the collision.
For assistance with your elderly driver accident in New York, contact Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 today.
No-Fault Benefits for Accidents With Elderly Drivers
You should be aware that New York is a no-fault insurance state. You first seek compensation through your own insurance company after many car accidents. From the New York State Department of Financial Services, you must carry valid insurance to legally drive in New York. If you carry this insurance, it may provide you with compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Medication costs
- Lost wages at work
- Payment for housekeeping services
- Transportation to medical appointments
You may receive these benefits no matter who was responsible for causing your accident. However, you should know that you must move quickly to apply for these benefits. Generally, you must file a claim for no-fault benefits within 30 days of the time your accident occurred.
You should also know that no-fault insurance in New York has limits. The coverage from your insurance company may not always fully address your losses.
Other Methods To Seek Compensation in New York
You do not have to rely solely on no-fault insurance to get compensation in New York in all situations. In some cases, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the driver who hit you. However, you may only take this step if you sustained a serious injury in the accident.
Under New York Insurance Law §5102(d), some injuries in New York are automatically considered to be serious. Broken bones and extensive scarring may be considered serious injuries in the majority of cases. Other injuries may also qualify as serious in some cases. A lawyer may be able to review your medical records to determine if your injuries qualify as serious or if they do not.
If you do have serious injuries, you may be able to pursue a claim with the insurance company representing the elderly driver who struck you. You may also be able to file a lawsuit against the driver in some cases. Review all your options with a New York elderly driver lawyer today.
Get Help From a New York Elderly Driver Lawyer
Did an elderly driver in New York strike you? If so, you could be eligible to receive compensation through your insurance or the elderly driver’s insurance policy. Find out more by contacting Morelli Law Firm to go over your specific situation. You may reach out to us by calling (212) 751-9800 or completing our online contact form.
A New York elderly driver lawyer may be able to provide you with comprehensive legal assistance now.