When we think of elderly drivers, the common stereotype from TV comedies may come to mind: a car several decades old, moving just under the speed limit, perhaps with the turn signal blinking for blocks on end, with a grey-haired driver peering up through the steering wheel at the road ahead. The reality, however, is quite different. Statistically speaking, elderly drivers are involved in fewer accidents than many other classes of drivers, though they appear to be more prone to certain types of crashes. In addition, Illinois has one of the strictest elderly driver’s license requirements in the US, meaning that elderly Illinoisans who are driving tend to be safer drivers than those in other states.
Elderly Driver Statistics
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that statistically speaking, elderly drivers appear to be involved in more crashes at intersections than younger drivers. This is particularly the case for drivers over the age of 75. Where intersection crashes for younger drivers make up anywhere from 18% to 27% of their total crashes, for drivers over the age of 75, that figure ranges from 30% for drivers 75-79, to 36% for drivers 80-84, to 41% for drivers over 85 (for the year 2021).
On the other hand, vehicle crash death rates for male drivers aged 70-74 are actually lower than the rates for any other male age group, while for female drivers that age the rates are about the same as female drivers aged 40-70. That changes, however, as the age of the driver increases. While both male and female drivers aged 80-84 have higher crash death rates than most middle-aged drivers, those rates are still lower than the ones for the youngest, most inexperienced drivers.
Interestingly, male drivers over the age of 85 show lower crash death rates than male drivers aged 20-29. And at least one study suggests the higher rates for older drivers “likely reflects older vehicle occupants’ greater vulnerability to injury and lesser ability to recover from injuries sustained from a given crash.”
Illinois License Requirements for Seniors
Illinois requires more frequent testing in order to renew a driver’s license the older the driver gets. Beginning at age 75, drivers must take a written test, eye exam, and driving test to renew their licenses. Drivers between the ages of 81 and 86 must renew their licenses (with testing) every two years, and those who are 87 or older must renew (with testing) every year. A 2016 study by the Highway Loss Data Institute showed that crashes, injuries, and claims relating to older drivers were lower in Illinois than in other states that did not have similar testing and renewal rules for older drivers.
Ways to Lower Your Chances of a Crash if You’re an Older Driver
There are several things that older drivers can do to help keep themselves safe while driving. These suggestions actually can apply to drivers of any age, and include:
- Driving a newer vehicle with advanced safety features. Many late-model vehicles come with a number of crash-prevention features, such as collision-warning and automatic braking systems, blind-spot detection, and lane-drift warning signals. These can help drivers of all ages avoid accidents but can be particularly helpful to older drivers.
- Reducing distractions inside the vehicle. This can include stowing mobile phones out of reach, driving with the radio off, and waiting until safely parked to eat and drink.
- Paying attention to the speed limit. Speeding reduces the time drivers have to react to things happening on the road, and it increases the likelihood that a crash will result in serious injury and damage.
What to Do if You’re Involved in an Accident
There are some basic things you need to do to protect yourself no matter what your age if you’re involved in an auto accident.
- Get medical attention. Make sure you are okay, don’t assume that you’re fine simply because you may not see bruised or are not bleeding. Internal injuries can be deceptively dangerous, and the longer you wait to find and treat them, the more likely they can turn deadly.
- Write down what you remember about the crash as soon as you can. This will help preserve important points about the crash that may be important if you file a claim or a lawsuit relating to the accident.
- Find out who else saw what happened. Try to get the names and contact information of any witnesses. What they saw may be useful if you have to sue to recover for your injuries.
- Keep all of your medical records. You’ll need these to support your insurance claim and for any lawsuit that may happen.
Cullotta Bravo Law Can Help You Through This
Being involved in any kind of vehicle crash is an upsetting and stressful experience. If you’ve been injured, it’s even more difficult, even if the injury is a minor one. You may not know what to do, when to do it, and what you may be entitled to recover for your injuries. The damage to your vehicle and personal property, and the pain and suffering you endured, deserve compensation.
Fortunately, the experienced attorneys at Cullotta Bravo Law can help. We have been representing injured drivers and passengers in Illinois for years. We know the law, how the insurance companies operate, and how to take cases to court and to trial when the insurers refuse to pay the damages you have suffered due to someone else’s negligence.
We also know how difficult it can be to recover from crash injuries, take care of repairing or replacing your vehicle, deal with insurance and legal claims, and continue to live your life. That’s why our goal is to take as much of that burden off of you as possible. Let Cullotta Bravo Law handle your insurance and legal matters while you focus on getting better and enjoying your life!
If you’ve been injured in an accident, call Cullotta Bravo Law today at 630-898-7800 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Or you can contact us online and we will get back to you to schedule your meeting. And don’t worry about cost; if we don’t get you a financial settlement, you won’t owe us anything.