Car Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers in Gulfport

In Gulfport, car accidents caused by elderly drivers can have devastating consequences. Many older drivers remain safe and cautious when behind the wheel. However, age-related issues such as slowed reflexes, vision or hearing loss, and certain medical conditions can significantly increase the likelihood of a crash.

At Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC, we understand how challenging elderly car accidents can be to approach and how important it is for victims to recover the compensation they deserve. We can help you navigate your case sensitively while still protecting your rights. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.

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How a Gulfport Lawyer Can Help You with an Elderly Driver Accident Case

Elderly driving accidents come with unique challenges that can require the help of an experienced Gulfport car accident attorney. Your lawyer can help by:

Identifying Medical Conditions

Sometimes, elderly car accidents are caused by medical conditions like dementia or glaucoma or medication side effects. Proving these causes can require careful investigation and even expert testimony.

Handling Delicate Family Dynamics

Families of elderly drivers may struggle to acknowledge their loved one’s driving limitations, which can lead to them denying fault. Your lawyer can meet this resistance with compassion while still advocating for your best interests.

Establishing Liability

Often, proving that an elderly driver was responsible for a collision is not as straightforward as in a typical car accident case. Your attorney will need to look into the driver’s medical history and prior driving record to establish liability.

Combatting Insurance Company Pushback

Insurers often argue that an elderly driver’s age is not proof of negligence and downplay any medical factors that may have contributed to the crash. Your attorney will need to provide evidence to the contrary to seek the compensation you deserve.

What to Do After an Accident Involving an Elderly Driver

Your priority after a car accident caused by an elderly driver should be to call 911 and get medical attention for you and anyone else who may have been injured. Afterwards, if you want to protect your legal rights, be sure to:

• Document the accident scene. Take photos and videos of vehicle damage, crash debris, skid marks, traffic signs and signals, road and weather conditions, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries.
• Collect witness information. If anyone witnessed the collision, they may offer crucial third-party testimony supporting your version of events or providing key details you may have missed.
• Keep careful records. Hold on to all medical records, bills, invoices, receipts, proof of lost wages, and any other relevant financial documents.
• Be cautious when speaking with insurance. Insurers are trained to get you to say things they can use against you to minimize your payout. If they contact you, never admit fault, never accept quick settlements, avoid recorded statements, and call a lawyer before offering more than the basic details.
• Talk to a lawyer. An experienced Gulfport personal injury attorney can protect your rights and help you handle this sensitive case with care. Contact one as soon as you’re able.

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Determining Liability When a Senior Driver Is Involved

Establishing liability in elderly driving accidents involves some unique considerations, as well as all of the standard ones for any car accident claim. Those considerations include:

• Driver negligence – If the driver was speeding, distracted, intoxicated, failing to yield, or violating some other traffic law when the crash occurred, they may be liable for the damage they caused.
• Medical impairments – If the elderly driver has a health condition, such as vision loss or cognitive impairment, that may have contributed to the accident, then that’s a crucial piece of the liability puzzle.
• Negligent entrustment – In some cases, a family member may let an elderly driver borrow their car even though they knew or should have known the driver was unsafe behind the wheel. When that happens, they may bear some responsibility for the collision.

Our legal team will investigate all possible contributing factors to determine who was responsible for the accident and hold them accountable.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Car accidents caused by elderly drivers can cause severe injuries, psychological trauma, and significant financial distress. A personal injury claim can potentially cover all of these losses by providing compensation for:

Medical Expenses

Healthcare costs following a car accident can be extremely high and potentially long-term. The responsible party may be liable for ambulance services, ER visits, doctor’s appointments, medical devices, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and future medical costs.

Lost Wages 

If the collision has impacted your ability to earn a living, whether it’s short-term or for the rest of your life, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages. That includes hourly wages or salary, medical benefits, sick days, vacation time, missed raises or promotions, future lost wages, and a reduced earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

Physical pain and emotional distress are common consequences of a serious car crash, and they can significantly impact the victim’s quality of life. Pain and suffering compensation accounts for those impacts.

Property Damage

Elderly driving accidents often result in substantial damage to the victim’s vehicle. The at-fault party may be liable for the repair or replacement of your car and any other property they damaged.

Statute of Limitations & Filing Deadlines

In Mississippi, you typically have three years (3) from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can bar you from recovering compensation. Give yourself as much time as possible to pursue your claim by contacting a lawyer as soon as you’re able.

Talk to Our Gulfport Car Accident Lawyers Today

The team at Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC has proudly protected the rights of injured Gulfport residents since 2014. In that time, we’ve built a reputation for compassionate client services and tenacious representation backed by the millions in settlements and verdicts we’ve recovered for car accident victims and a long list of clients who have expressed their satisfaction through heartfelt testimonials, calling us “very personable, honest, direct, and sincere.”

You don’t have to face the fallout of an elderly driving accident alone. We’ll fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve. Call us today at (228) 872-8752 or use our contact form for your free consultation.