Senior Citizens and Car Accidents
Maryland
If you are a senior citizen who was involved in a car accident, you probably suffered a more serious injury than you would have when you were younger. To make matters worse, you might also be facing an uphill battle to recover compensation for your injuries. Some lawyers attempt to use stereotypes of older drivers being less safe to protect their clients. Insurance companies also try to portray injuries suffered by senior citizens as being related to pre-existing conditions, not the accident. Medical insurance companies and Medicare will also demand reimbursement out of whatever money you receive, which can leave you in debt if you do not get an adequate settlement. Experienced car accident attorneys have faced these challenges before and can help you overcome them to get the compensation you deserve.
If you are a senior citizen who has been involved in a car accident in Maryland, and are having trouble, the lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. can help. Please schedule a free consultation today to learn more.
Senior Citizens Are Safe Drivers
Recent research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that older drivers have built on a lifetime of experience to become safer drivers. According to one study, drivers between the ages of 50-69 had a lower involvement in car accidents than any other age group. The study showed that nearly 20% of licensed drivers under 18, 11% of drivers aged 18-24, and 6% of drivers aged 25-49 were involved in a car accident over the 1-year period of the study. In contrast, only about 3% of drivers aged 50 to 69–half that of the next safest group of drivers–were involved in an accident. Although this went up slightly for drivers over 69, it was still only 5% of drivers, less than any group of drivers under the age of 50.
Senior Citizens Suffer Disproportionate Injuries
Unfortunately, though, the consequences of a car accident are much greater for a senior citizen driver. He or she is more likely to suffer serious injuries, and older women are especially susceptible to serious injuries during even low-speed car accidents. According to NHTSA crash data, a driver aged 65 or older is more than four times more likely to suffer a severe injury in a car accident. This is true for all types of accidents, from rear-end accidents to dangerous rollover accidents.
Why You Need a Lawyer’s Help
Initially, expenses from your accident and injuries may be covered by Medicare and/or other insurance. But once you receive a settlement, your insurers will ask to be reimbursed out of your compensation, leaving you at a net loss if you have lost wages or out-of-pocket expenses for the accident. When you are seeking compensation for an accident, you must evaluate how much you are likely to get and whether it will even cover the medical expenses paid by health insurers. An experienced lawyer can be invaluable in this case because they have the experience to tell you what other people in your situation have received and how much you are likely to receive.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. has 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 the best course of action for you. Please schedule a free case evaluation today.
