California has one of the largest populations of senior drivers in the nation. While many older adults are safe, experienced drivers, age-related health changes can sometimes increase the risk of elderly driving accidents. When these accidents cause injuries, victims and their families often face difficult questions about fault, safety, and compensation.
The Reality of Elderly Driving Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 48 million drivers in the United States are aged 65 or older, and crash rates among this group increase significantly after age 70. You can read more here: https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/older_adult_drivers/index.html
Factors that may contribute to elderly driving accidents include:
- Slower reaction times
- Declining vision or hearing
- Cognitive impairment, including dementia
- Medication side effects (drowsiness, confusion)
- Reduced strength or flexibility affecting vehicle control
Common Types of Elderly Driving Accidents
Elderly driving accidents can happen in many situations, but common crash types include:
- Failure to yield at intersections
- Lane-change or merging collisions
- Pedestrian-related accidents
- Rear-end collisions due to delayed braking
- Wrong-way driving incidents
Who Is Liable in an Elderly Driving Accident?
Liability is determined the same way as in any other motor vehicle accident by proving negligence. If an older driver’s actions or inactions caused the crash, they (and their insurance company) may be held responsible. However, in some cases, other parties may also share fault, such as:
- Another negligent driver
- A vehicle manufacturer (if a defect contributed)
- A medical provider (in rare cases where unsafe driving clearance was given despite known impairments)
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has specific vision and reexamination requirements for senior drivers, which you can read about here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/special-interest-driver-guides/senior-drivers/
Steps to Take After an Elderly Driving Accident
If you are involved in an accident with an elderly driver, you should:
- Call 911 and report the accident
- Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicles
- Exchange information with the driver and any witnesses
- Avoid discussing fault at the scene
- Contact a California elderly driving accident lawyer before speaking to insurers
How Hillstone Law Can Help
Elderly driving accident cases can be sensitive, especially when health or age-related conditions are involved. At Hillstone Law, we approach these cases with compassion while fighting aggressively for the compensation our clients deserve, including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an elderly driving accident in California, we are ready to help.
Note: These blog posts are created solely for the use of Hillstone Law. The information is gathered from internet research, publicly available sources, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. While we aim to share helpful and educational content, Hillstone Law does not independently verify every detail. Some information may be incomplete, outdated, or subject to change without notice. If you believe any part of a post is inaccurate, misleading, or infringes upon copyright, please contact Hillstone Law immediately so we can review it and take appropriate action, including correction or removal.
Disclaimer: The material provided in these blogs is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading these posts does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship with Hillstone Law. Our intent is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide helpful resources to the public; however, Hillstone Law makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided, and expressly disclaims liability for any actions taken in reliance on it. The photos used in these posts are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients, individuals, or incidents unless expressly stated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
