What Are Age-Related Accidents?
Age-related accidents occur due to age, such as falling due to poor muscle coordination and failing eyesight. Age-related accidents may lead to severe injuries or even death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), age-related accidents are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury and death among the elderly in the United States. If you know someone involved in an age-related car accident in Arizona, you should immediately contact a Tucson car accident attorney.
What Causes Age-Related Accidents?
The CDC states that age-related accidents can be attributed to age-related changes in the body, such as muscle and eye deterioration. While age is a factor in age-related accidents, other factors include
- Physical disabilities
- Chronic disease conditions, including arthritis and dementia
- Limited mobility
- Loss of strength
- Decreased reaction time
- Poor vision, including cataracts and glaucoma
- Cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
How Common Are Age-related Accidents?
According to the CDC, 5,000 people die annually in the United States from age-related accidents. In addition, more than 17,000 people are hospitalized for age-related injuries.
What Kind of Accidents Are Age-Related?
Age-related accidents can occur in various situations, indoors and outdoors, during the daytime or night. The CDC reports that falls are the most common accident type among seniors. Other accidents include automobile collisions with drivers who are inexperienced or unable to see clearly, falls from ladders, and accidental gunshots.
How to Prevent Age-Related Car Accidents
The CDC recommends that seniors take several steps to reduce the risk of age-related accidents, including
- Avoid driving at night or on busy roads. Try driving during daylight hours and avoid busy streets. If possible, drive with an extra person in your care who can help you navigate the roadways and assist you if you have a medical problem while driving.
- Be aware of medications that affect your ability to drive safely, such as any medication that can impair vision or reaction time. Do not drink alcohol when taking these medications. Make sure you take the correct dosage and never mix prescription drugs unless directed by your doctor
- Reduce hazards in your home, such as loose rugs, poor lighting, and slippery floors
- If you have concerns about your ability to drive safely at night or in bad weather, see your doctor for a vision test
- Make sure all drivers in the household are aware of their limitations. Insist that everyone applies safe driving practices (buckle up seat belts; obey speed limits; avoid distraction, such as cell phone use; do not drink and drive).
Age-related car accidents can lead to severe injuries, disabilities, and death. If you or a loved one has been injured in an age-related car accident, contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also have a website dedicated to age-related accidents. It contains information on preventing these accidents and a section about what it is like to be involved in an accident.