Age-related Accidents

The attorneys here at Peter Thompson & Associates have decades of experience handling personal injury cases that result from car accidents. Accurately determining the cause of the accident is an essential element in successfully managing and resolving a personal injury claim. Often the causes of car accidents we encounter are the related to the age of the at-fault driver. Both elderly drivers with diminished facilities and young, inexperienced drivers pose greater risks to the public due to their age.

As drivers age, their physical and mental health may deteriorate, resulting in impaired driving abilities. Once competent drivers may now pose a danger to the public as a result of their decreased abilities. The American Automobile Association discusses on their website how the process of aging can affect hearing, vision, reaction time, and mental fitness. In addition, elderly drivers are more likely to be on medications or have medical conditions that may affect their driving skills.

To combat age-related driving issues, the state of Maine requires that driving license applicants over the age of 40 have an eye test on their first renewal after turning 40 and then at every second renewal until attaining the age of 62, whereupon they are required to have an eye test at every renewal. In addition, elderly drivers in Maine are required to renew their licenses more frequently. The Maine Secretary of State’s office sets forth standards and procedures for the relationship between medical conditions and driving privileges. Drivers are encouraged to self-report, but reports may also be submitted by physicians or family members regarding a driver’s neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, visual, emotional or psychiatric conditions.

Despite the protections that these Maine standards and requirements offer, elderly drivers with impaired driving abilities still occupy Maine roads and pose an increased danger to other drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured by the negligence of an elderly driver, you need a firm that understands the complexities in handling an elderly driver car accident case.

Teenage drivers are one of the most dangerous groups of drivers on the road. Here at Peter Thompson & Associates, we have decades of experience handling car accident cases that result from the recklessness of teenage drivers. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. Every day in 2010, seven teens ages 16 to 19 died as a result of motor vehicle injuries. When compared to drivers ages 20 and older, teenage drivers are three times more likely to be in a fatal crash. Though young people ages 15-24 represent only 14% of the U.S. population, they account for 30% of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28% of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females. The CDC has identified a number of factors that contribute to the danger of teenage drivers, including the following. Due to their inexperience, teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate or not recognize dangerous or hazardous situations. Teens are more likely to speed, drive too close to other vehicles, and are the least likely age group to use seatbelts. Teenage drivers are also more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash with any level of alcohol in their system when compared to older drivers.

The State of Maine has recognized this problem with teenage drivers and has instituted a graduated driver license system in an attempt to address this danger. Maine drivers under the age of 18 are issued an Intermediate License which prohibits the driver from having passengers in their vehicle, other than immediate family members, operating a vehicle between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., and using a mobile phone while driving. Distracted driving, particularly with the use of cell phones, is especially prevalent among teenage drivers. See our page on distracted driving for more information.

Every driver, including teenage and elderly drivers, owes other drivers on the road a duty of reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle. If an elderly driver operates a vehicle despite dangerous age-related impairments, they may be violating this duty. Likewise, young, inexperienced teenage drivers are more likely than adult drivers to violate their duty of care. Drivers who violate their duty of care may be legally responsible for the damages they cause. If you or a loved one was injured in an motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of an elderly or teenage driver, your need an attorney with experience in handling these types of cases. Our experienced attorneys will do everything possible to ensure you or your loved one receives the compensation they deserve. At Peter Thompson & Associates, we are dedicated to helping our clients through this difficult process. Call 1.800.804.2004 for a free consultation or contact us online.