Florida Car Accidents and Older Drivers
According to the United States Census Bureau, Florida’s population is 22,610,726, and it is growing rapidly. Although people from all over the country have left their homes to make Florida their full-time residence, there is one demographic in particular who has traditionally always been drawn to the warmth found in the Sunshine State. That would be the older population or individuals aged 65 and above.
Older adults are one of the largest groups that make up Florida’s population. While children aged five and under take up around 5% and teens aged 18 or under take up 19.4% of Florida’s population, individuals aged 65 and older account for 21.7% of the population.
There are plenty of reasons why there are so many people who choose to move to Florida upon retirement. Also, older adults have the luxury of choosing a relaxing coastal lifestyle in some of the finest retirement communities that exist anywhere in the country. As a result, to enjoy an active lifestyle, the need to get around may be part of the equation. Still, with age comes a decline in physical and cognitive abilities. Sometimes, for some older people, the deficits are so much that they can be a danger to themselves and others if they get behind the wheel.
Recently, a tragic accident in Miami took place where a young girl was on a walk with her mother when she was struck by a car driven by an elderly female driver. The physical bodily harm was too great for the youngster to overcome, and she eventually succumbed to her fatal injuries and lost her life. According to the reports, the older driver confused the accelerator for the brake, and it was that blunder that led to the deadly accident that claimed the life of a child.
In the state of Florida, there is no age limit to being a legal driver. This means that people of all ages can drive if they meet the requirements. For older individuals, that would be the need to renew their driver’s license more often than younger drivers, and it is also necessary to pass vision tests after the age of 80. Still, as the United States population of elderly adults aged 65 and older has increased by 29%, the number of elderly individuals involved in deadly automobile accidents has also increased by 5%.
When an older driver causes a crash, victims may be able to file a personal injury claim against them. To be successful with a claim, negligence must be proven. If it can be shown that the driver owed a duty of care to the injured parties, but they breached that duty of care with careless actions that caused the accident and the victim’s injuries, then it is likely a victim can recover financial compensation for their losses.
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Driving is a big part of many American’s lives. It allows for greater independence and can be very hard to give up. Everyone is different, and in older age, there will be individuals who will be able to operate their vehicles safely and others who may find it challenging.
For assistance with a personal injury claim after a car accident in Florida, please call a Tampa car accident attorney at Fulgencio Law at (813) 463-0123 to schedule a free consultation.
