Conventional wisdom and experience teaches us that different age groups and demographics face different risks on the road. Young and inexperienced drivers are notoriously more likely to wind up in automobile accidents. However, sufficient attention is rarely given to another at-risk group of drivers: senior citizens. The effects of age and extraneous factors can place seniors at particular risk of accident and, once in an accident, at particular risk of injury. As a senior setting out onto the road, you should be familiar with both the physical and legal risks you face to keep you and your loved ones secure.
Physical Risks and Statistics
There is no particular age at which an individual should stop driving. We all age differently and so long as one remains medically capable, there is nothing to prohibit driving well into old age. However, risks change and, in many cases, increase among senior citizens. It is important to know and secure against these risks to remain safe. In the event of an accident, the risk of injury is significantly increased for senior citizens. It is important to take proper safety precautious to secure yourself in case of a collision. Factors such as diminished hearing, vision, and reflexes, as well as the adverse side effects of medication contribute to the increased risks we face—particularly past age 70. Diminished physical strength and resilience can make it harder to manage your vehicle in an accident, as well as increasing the probability that otherwise minor injuries could be more serious. This effect is particularly recognized among female senior citizens. Where younger drivers are more likely to suffer serious injury to the head, older drivers face a disproportionate risk of damage to the chest and torso. Drivers over 75 far more likely to be cited for offenses such as failing to yield to pedestrians, backing up unsafely, and failing to stop at a flashing red light.
Legal Concerns
The law protects your right to continue driving into old age so long as you meet the same physical and mental standards that apply to all drivers. Talk to your doctor to confirm that any treatments or medications you may be receiving should not impair your driving or if you feel that your skills or senses have been affected by a new treatment. Taking the time to find out can help to protect you and your family from liability in the event of an accident. Ensure that any prescription eyewear or hearing aids are up-to-date and sufficient to meet your current needs. If your driver’s license requires you to wear them when operating a vehicle, take care to remember them, as doing so will ensure the safety of the vehicle’s passengers.
How Dover Law Firm Can Help You
If you or a loved one are injured in an accident, acquiring proper representation is the most important part of pursuing appropriate compensation. Your interests will be best represented by a firm that not only understands the law, but medical terminology, conditions, and procedures as well. You must assume that the other party in your case will acquire skilled representation and that you must do the same to ensure your well-being.  

That skill and dedication is what distinguishes Dover Law Firm from other Atlanta law firms. To provide for your representation, call Dover Law Firm today so that we can begin the process of securing your interests and getting you back on the road to recovery.