Georgia Injury Law Blog
This December, traffic safety organizations have been drawing attention to the car accident risks facing senior motorists. These risks often result in severe personal injuries from auto accidents.
A number of national and local organizations recently marked the week between December 2 and December 6 as Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. The aim of the commemoration was to draw attention to the various safety threats affecting the auto accident risks of older drivers above the age of 65. This is one of the most at-risk motorist groups out there with significant health -related car accident risks that potentially affect their driving abilities.
The national population of older drivers has increased significantly over the past decade. According to the AARP, the population of motorists above the age of 65 increased by almost 30% between 2012 and 2021. The car accident rate for senior drivers of this age group increased by more than 4% between 2021 and 2022. The number of car accident wrongful deaths involving motorists above the age of 65 increased from 7,515 in 2021 to 7,870 the following year.
In Georgia, the scenario is especially bleak for senior drivers. In 2021, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the national average fatal car accident involvement rate for motorists above the age of 65 was 16.2 for every 100,000 persons. However, for Georgia, the rate was a staggering 22.66, one of the highest rates in the country. Overall, in 2021, 341 senior motorists were killed in car accidents. Out of these, 107 motorists were between the age of 65 and 69.
The AARP is offering special promotions for senior drivers in December. For example, the organization is offering older drivers the chance to take its online safety training program, which is free. The course provides an excellent way for older drivers to avoid the risks created by their age.
Auto technology can include a number of features that can help minimize the car accident risks facing senior drivers. If your loved one is a motorist above the age of 65 and you are concerned about his or her accident risks, consider a car with technology that includes lane departure warning systems and collision warning systems that can help circumvent those risks.
Senior drivers not only have a higher risk of being involved in car accidents, but they are also at a higher risk of sustaining catastrophic or fatal injuries in car accidents. The choice of a car for a senior driver must take into consideration all these special accident risks and injury factors, and provide a safer and more conductive environment for a senior to drive safely. If you believe that your loved one is no longer in a position to drive safely, look for tips on how to broach the sensitive topic of giving up their driving keys on the free AARP We Need To Talk program that is available to users on their website.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in car accidents in the metro region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income and other forms of damages. Talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your case. initial consultations are free.