Compensation for Victims & Families
If you are a senior citizen involved in a car accident, the chances are that you suffered more serious injury than a younger person might have in a similar accident. You might also be fighting an uphill battle when recovering from the damages after your accident.
The other driver and their lawyer might attempt to use stereotypes of senior drivers being less safe. Insurance companies might also try to portray your injuries as related to pre-existing conditions and therefore not related to the accident.
Medical insurance companies and Medicare may demand reimbursement, depleting your compensation. Experienced car accident attorneys can help you overcome these obstacles to get the compensation you deserve.
If you are a senior citizen involved in a car accident in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. and are having trouble, the lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. can help.
Senior Citizen Driving Statistics
According to the Federal Highway Administration data, there were approximately 30 million licensed drivers 70 and older in 2019.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that almost 7,700 older adults (65 and above) were killed in motor vehicle crashes. This means that more than 20 adult drivers are killed each day, and almost 700 are injured in traffic accidents. More than 250,000 older drivers were treated for car crash-related injuries in emergency departments.
Other important statistics include:
- Older drivers (75+) have higher fatal crash rates than middle-aged drivers between 35 and 54.
- High death rates among drivers 75+ are mainly due to increased susceptibility to injury in a crash.
- Among passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2019, multiple vehicle crashes at intersections accounted for 40 percent of the crashes for drivers 80 and older, compared with 20 percent for drivers ages 16-59.
Highway Safety and Senior Citizens
Older adults typically engage in safer driving behaviors than other age groups. In recent research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it was shown that drivers between the ages of 50-69 had the lowest involvement in car accidents of any age group.
Nearly 20% of licensed drivers below the age of 18, 11% of drivers aged 18-24, and 6% of drivers aged 25-49 were involved in an accident over a given 1-year period. In contrast, only about 3% of drivers aged 50 to 69 were involved in a motor vehicle crash, and only 5% of elderly drivers over 69 were involved in an accident.
Senior Citizens Suffer Disproportionate Injuries
Unfortunately, when an elderly driver is involved in a motor vehicle accident, they are more likely to suffer serious injuries. Older women are especially susceptible to serious injuries due to even low-speed car accidents.
According to an NHTSA analysis of crash data, a driver aged 65 or older is more likely to suffer a severe injury in a car accident than younger drivers aged 16-24. This is true for all types of multiple vehicle crashes, including dangerous rollover accidents.
What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do to Help You
The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish negligence and other types of liability.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has obtained more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim After an Auto Accident
If you are a senior citizen involved in a car accident, it is important to know what to do in order to protect your rights.
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
- Gather evidence from the scene of the accident. This can include photos of the damage to your vehicle, witness statements, and any other documentation that will help to support your claim.
- File a claim with your insurance company. Your attorney can help you to determine what type of coverage you have and how much you are entitled to receive.
- Negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. Your attorney will work to get you the best possible outcome, whether that is through negotiation or taking the case to trial.
Why You Need a Lawyer’s Help
In seeking compensation, it is important to evaluate how much you are likely to get and whether it will even cover the sums paid by health insurers. If you are in an accident and injured, your expenses may initially be covered by Medicare or other insurance. However, once you receive a settlement, these insurers may ask to be reimbursed out of that settlement.
At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C., we have helped over 10,000 accident victims who have suffered serious injuries. We can look at the facts in your case and help you decide what might be your best course of action.
Please schedule a free case evaluation today to see what a personal injury lawyer in Washington, D.C., can do for your claim or lawsuit. Contact us today!