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Preventing Accidents for Older Drivers

Preventing Accidents for Older Drivers

Preventing Accidents for Older Drivers

 Fort Mill, SC Personal Injury Attorney

South Carolina has been experiencing a slight decline in the percentage of older-driver-involved highway accident fatalities. These drivers are 65 years old and above. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety in its 2016 Highway Safety Plan, there were 132 older-driver-involved deaths in South Carolina in 2009, decreasing to 115 fatalities in 2010, before increasing by 7 to 122 in 2011, and increasing to 133 in 2012. Over that four-year period, the number of fatalities in this category of drivers decreased by 1.20% compared to the prior four-year average. However, throughout the 2009-2013 period, those ages 45-54 constituted the plurality of pedestrian fatalities at 23%, followed by those ages 55-64 at 15%. Older persons aged 65 and above constitute 13.2% of the pedestrian fatalities in South Carolina.

If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident anywhere in North or South Carolina and suffered injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. You should seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney such as Justin Bice of the law firm of Bice Law, LLC.

Older Drivers and Accident Risks

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,560 people 65 and older killed and 214,000 injured in motor vehicle accidents nationwide in 2012.  Although many older drivers may continue to drive safely for years, aging can bring about diminished eyesight and reflexes that may take a dangerous toll on a person’s ability to operate a vehicle. The negative effects of deteriorating vision begin at around 40 years old and affect almost everyone at age 51. Accident crash data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that older drivers are involved in more accidents per mile traveled than any other age group except younger drivers (30 years of age and under). Drivers who are 70 to 74 years of age are almost twice as likely to be in a fatal car accident per mile traveled than drivers who are between 35 and 69 years old.

As a precautionary measure, many states require elderly drivers to renew their licenses in person. Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia have additional requirements for older drivers, starting as early as age 65. These requirements include more frequent renewals and vision and road testing. Under South Carolina statutes, a driver’s license holder who is at least 65 years old must renew their license in-person every five years. A vision test is required during an in-person license renewal. DMV personnel have the discretion to require both a written and a road test.

The DMV can place restrictions or conditions on a person’s license after administering a test and discussing those restrictions with him or her. The most common of these restrictions is the requirement of glasses or corrective contact lenses. Other common conditions South Carolina DMV may impose on older drivers include a prohibition on freeway or nighttime driving, or restrictions from driving during rush hour.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident accident anywhere in North or South Carolina involving those who are older drivers, Justin Bice of Bice Law, LLC can provide you with the expertise and effective advocacy you need to pursue your case and obtain compensation for your injuries. Justin has extensive experience in pursuing personal injury claims effectively on behalf of his clients. Older drivers may be held liable in automobile accidents if they fail to adhere to restrictions or conditions on their driver’s licenses, resulting in a crash. Contact us today for a free initial consultation by calling our toll-free number at 877-BICE-877 or by submitting our online form.

Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Bice Law

The personal injury firm of Bice Law will examine your case to determine the type and amount of damages that your injury warrants, including payments for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability.  We’ll determine whether an out-of-court settlement or trial is the best strategy to obtain maximum benefits for you or your family. If you have suffered injury or harm because of someone else’s actions, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the personal injury firm of Bice Law serving both North and South Carolina. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, so act quickly.  Call 877-BICE-877 today or submit an online request  to get a free consultation with a  personal injury attorney. We serve families across both North Carolina and South Carolina.

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