With the aging of the baby boomers, the number of senior drivers on the road is booming too. The U.S. Center for Disease Control reports that over 500 seniors a day are injured in car crashes. Seniors should follow these guidelines if they’re involved in an auto accident.
Don’t Apologize
Seniors might apologize for an accident that wasn’t their fault the same as they might apologize for bumping into somebody in a grocery store when in fact somebody bumped into them. In a car accident, the senior shouldn’t apologize. That apology could be construed as an admission of guilt and used against them in the future. Even if the accident was the senior’s fault, they shouldn’t admit guilt. Let the insurance companies decide that issue.
Insist on Police
Accident investigation duties fall on the shoulders of every police department. You need a police accident report that’s made at the scene. The investigating officer will assess the facts and draw their conclusions. Even innocently leaving the scene can get you charged with a hit-and-run. Call the police right away, and remain at the scene.
Get to an Emergency Room
Don’t be a cheapskate. Getting to an emergency room probably won’t cost an out-of-pocket penny. Men especially need to realize that they don’t take trauma the way they did 30 years ago. Seniors have more insurance than most people. That insurance includes Medicare and supplemental coverage. Getting to an emergency room the fastest and safest way possible ensures prompt and proper care if the senior suffered trauma. The fastest and safest way is by ambulance with paramedics. They’ll also document all injuries and physical complaints in their records. Those records will be important if an injury claim is filed against the driver at fault.
The Drunk Driving Accident
Drunk drivers continue to drive and cause accidents every day. If you are in an accident caused by a drunk driver, consider researching drunk driving victim lawyers in Denver or your particular locale who specialize in representing these types of clients. Over 500,000 people per year are injured in drunk driving accidents, and the Colorado Department of Transportation tells us that DUIs account for over one-third of the state’s traffic fatalities. Right after the accident, if you suspect the other person to be drunk, stay in your car. Drunks are unpredictable. Let the police deal with them.
Don’t talk to any insurance company other than your own. Don’t talk to any attorneys other than your own attorney. Above all, be safe on the road.
About the author: A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica Oaks loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.
