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Falling increases car accident risk by 40 percent for older drivers

AAA Research Links Falls and Car Accident Risk for Older DriversIt can be very hard for aging individuals to give up the independence afforded by driving, even as their abilities decline, making driving more difficult and accidents more likely. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers age 60 and older are involved in more than 400,000 car accidents every year.

Some states have tried to limit the risks by requiring more frequent drivers license renewals for seniors past a certain age, hoping that this will screen out individuals with vision or cognitive problems. But age alone is not really a reliable indicator of driving ability. This makes it harder for aging drivers and their families to decide when it really is necessary for an elder to stop driving.

In new research from AAA, a history of falls was identified as a more reliable risk factor than age in predicting car accidents among older drivers. In fact, researchers found that a history of falling made older drivers 40 percent more likely to have a car accident.

Several possibilities were raised to help explain the link between falls and increased car accident risk:

  • Loss of specific functional ability: Some types of injuries commonly incurred in falls can make it harder to drive. For example, if a senior tries to catch themselves in a fall and breaks a wrist, it may become difficult for them to steer. If they break a leg in a fall, it may be hard to brake in time to avoid an accident.
  • Loss of mobility: While it is wise to be more careful after a fall, unfortunately sometimes seniors are so afraid of falling again that they become less active. Decreasing physical activity weakens muscles and can affect coordination, which may increase the risk of a car accident.
  • Impairment by medication: Older people may be more susceptible to drowsiness or other effects from medications. Taking pain medications after a fall could cause or contribute to an accident for this reason.

AAA’s Tips for Older Drivers

AAA recommends that older drivers make an effort to stay active in order to help preserve their driving abilities. Whole body flexibility is particularly important, because flexibility improves balance and reflexes, which are essential for crash avoidance. Individuals who have suffered a fall should be particularly careful to take a step back and evaluate their driving abilities honestly before getting behind the wheel.

Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident?

If you have been seriously hurt in a car accident caused by another driver, you can and should contact an experienced attorney like Fernando D. Vargas now. Even if you are partially liable for your own accident, Attorney Vargas can still fight aggressively for you to receive the compensation you deserve. Call 909-982-0707 now for a free initial consultation.