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Elderly Driving Car Accidents in Columbia, MO

While many Missouri residents can safely drive long after retirement age, the CDC reports that drivers over the age of 70 are statistically at higher risk of causing a car accident than middle-aged drivers. Age-related changes, such as slower reaction times and weaker eyesight, may be to blame. Medication reactions may also contribute to these collisions.

If you have been injured in a wreck caused by an elderly driver, you deserve legal guidance to protect your rights. These cases can be devastating, especially when the older, at-fault driver truly did not mean any harm. Although you may feel guilt about pursuing compensation from someone who is well into their 70s or even 80s, when injuries happen, you need compensation to help you plan for the future. Our dedicated car accident injury attorneys are experienced in handling elderly driving car accidents in Columbia, MO, and could help you navigate the legal process.

How Fault is Decided in Car Accidents

When determining negligence, Missouri law examines a person’s conduct leading up to an accident to determine if they were at fault. It considers whether they were driving at an unsafe speed or their vision was too poor to drive safely. Ultimately, liability is determined by facts.

No cause can excuse someone’s careless behavior, no matter their age. Our Columbia elderly driving car wreck attorneys at AW Smith Law investigate cases carefully to ensure fault is placed where it belongs, while still being respectful of all the parties involved.

What Evidence is Used to Prove Fault?

Evidence can help counter arguments from Columbia insurance companies trying to dismiss your serious injury or shift blame away from those responsible for your elderly driving car accident. The more evidence gathered, the stronger your claim may be. Useful evidence often includes:

  • Police crash reports and any officer body-cam or dash-cam footage from the accident scene
  • 911 audio and messages from the smartphones of those involved
  • Surveillance video from intersections or nearby businesses, as well as nearby doorbell cameras
  • Event recorder data from the involved vehicles
  • Photos of vehicle damage, lane positions, debris fields, and skid marks
  • Eyewitness names, quick statements, and follow-up contact information
  • Pharmacy printouts or medication warnings that relate to driving impairment
  • Prior vision or road test documentation
  • Repair estimates along with rental and towing documentation
  • Medical records, specialist referrals, and symptom journals

Our attorneys at AW Smith Law move quickly to obtain time-sensitive evidence, such as surveillance footage, before it is gone forever. Obtaining this documentation keeps conversations with insurance companies and opposing counsel grounded in the facts.

Damages in Serious Injury Car Accident Cases

Victims of serious car accidents will need adequate financial resources to pay for necessary expenses, such as rehabilitation and specialist care. After your collision, you may need in-home support or be unable to work for an extended period of time while you recover. Economic damages, including medical expenses and the cost of permanent modifications to your home, could be accounted for in your claim.

Compensation could also help address your physical pain and suffering and the ways your life has been reshaped by your injuries. Non-economic damages include:

  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional trauma
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Working with a Columbia-based attorney could help ensure your claim accounts for the full impact your elderly-driving vehicle accident has had on your life and well-being.

Contact AW Smith Law for a Free Consultation Regarding Your Elderly Driver Car Accident Claim

You can respect older drivers while still pursuing accountability for their negligent decisions behind the wheel. After elderly driving car accidents in Columbia, MO, AW Smith Law could keep the legal process professional and focus on getting you the compensation you need. We deal with insurance carriers directly and push for the resources you deserve to build a future for yourself and your family. Contact us today to get started.