Protect Your Rights: When Older Drivers Cause Car Accidents in Arizona
We’ve previously reported on the dangers of teenage drivers. But did you know that older drivers are involved in more fatal car crashes than teenagers? This is especially the case in Arizona, where older drivers now cause almost 20% of fatal crashes.
| Fatal Crashes in Arizona | |||||
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Young drivers (15-20 years) | 111 | 102 | 91 | 111 | 136 |
| Older drivers (65+ years) | 169 | 183 | 210 | 169 | 190 |
| All drivers | 917 | 918 | 908 | 966 | 1,063 |
| Source: NHSTA – Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) | |||||
| url: https://cdan.dot.gov/query | |||||
What’s behind the rise in fatalities caused by older drivers?
We’re seeing greater numbers of older drivers on the roads than ever before. This is very evident in Arizona, where our population is aging faster than the national average. In addition, drivers are keeping their licenses longer. More drivers makes for more accidents.
It’s perhaps important to note that older drivers are associated with lower accident rates per 100,000 drivers than other age brackets. And they’re driving safer than before, thanks to the care they generally take on the roads, and due to our rigorous license renewal practices in Arizona. But growing older can affect one’s ability to drive safely. Not all older drivers recognize this in time, and these few put other road users at risk. For their victims, this brings to the fore questions of liability and compensation.
Protecting your rights
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident involving an older driver, contact an experienced attorney. Defending your rights could include investigating whether you may have been the victim of a driver whose ability to drive safely was impaired. Accidents involving a driver who breaches their duty of care to other road users can involve stronger opportunities for compensation. When seeking justice, you should leave no stone unturned.
Arizona has a fault based approach for determining liability following a car accident. When an accident occurs fault is apportioned between the drivers to establish their liability for damages. Although determining fault is not always straightforward. In most scenarios, both parties carry some degree of responsibility. But where negligence is suspected on behalf of the other driver, this can impact liability distribution and your rights to compensation. Where the other driver is found to be at fault, you can claim damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and property damage. And in the most severe cases, where the other driver knew that they posed a great risk to other road users, you may also have a right to claim for pecuniary damages.
In situations where the other driver’s ability to drive safely is in question due to age related factors, you need a car accident attorney who will judiciously investigate your rights.
Let Karnas Law Firm represent you
A serious car accident can change your life in seconds. And sadly, the full emotional and financial impact on you and your family may not be evident until long after the event. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you cannot afford to risk going under-compensated. Talk to a car accident lawyer at Karnas Law Firm today. With more than 50 years of experience and over $50 million in damages, we know Arizona traffic law. We will ensure your right to compensation is fully realized, especially where you might be the victim of negligence or recklessness.
With offices in Tucson, Yuma and Phoenix, we serve residents throughout Arizona.
Call Karnas Law Firm today at (520) 214-8343, or schedule a time online for a free consultation.