Poor Elderly Eyesite Causes Auto Accidents in Atlanta

Date: September 12, 2011 | 09/12/11
Location: State of Georgia |Atlanta Auto Accident
Type: Auto Accident
Title: Poor Elderly Eyesite Causes Auto Accidents in Atlanta

Most people think that auto accidents occur mainly on a freeway or interstate, however according to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the percentage of accidents is actually higher on city streets (27.82%) than on interstates (11.32%). What could be a contributing factor to this rise in city accidents?

Most seniors tend to stay away from highways and interstates, and so they tend to be involved mainly in city-related accidents. They are at a higher risk for getting into auto accidents because they have slower reaction times, deteriorating eyesight, and difficulty focusing on moving objects. Unfortunately, elderly drivers tend to be the ones that get seriously injured in a car wreck due to their age and fragility. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12% of all fatal crashes in 2009 in the United States involved people who were 65 years of age or older.

But a tragic event, such as a car accident, can be prevented if you take care to get your vision checked on a regular basis. Conditions such as Glaucoma, cataracts, and poor night vision can be detected early. With knowledge of these conditions, appropriate precautions can be made before getting behind the wheel.

If you have an elderly loved one, encourage them to visit an eye doctor at least once a year. At times, a person who is elderly may not necessarily want to give up driving, even if they determine their eyesight is poor, simply because they feel they are relinquishing their independence. Such feelings no doubt have contributed to the statistics from the United States Department of Transportation that indicate that drivers who are 85 years and older have the highest percentage for fatal car accidents. So remind your loved one that driving with poor vision is not only putting their life at risk, but the lives of those driving around them.

If you or a family member has suffered as the result of a car accident, Atlanta car accident attorney James Murphy and Murphy & Associates, LLC, can help you. We understand the devastation that can occur as a result of being in a serious car accident. We are committed to helping car accident, trucking accident, and motorcycle accident victims recover the just and fair compensation they are entitled to receive under the law. We will gladly consult with you for FREE! 770-577-3020.