Accidents Caused by Elderly Drivers in Queens, NY

Did you get hurt in a New York car accident involving an older driver? You might be wondering how you’ll cover your medical bills or whether you can hold the other driver responsible. However, these accidents can raise tough questions about who is at fault and how to pay for medical care.

At The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., we help crash victims demand fair compensation for their losses. We understand how age-related issues can contribute to preventable crashes, and our team knows how to fight for fair compensation if another driver’s mistakes caused you harm.

Contact us today to discuss your situation in a free consultation session. We’ll listen to your story, review the details of your case, and explain how we can help.

Causes of Accidents by Elderly Drivers

Many car crashes involving elderly drivers result from the same contributing factors you would expect in any other accident case. However, some car accidents caused by elderly drivers involve causal factors that tie back to aging. That doesn’t mean every crash with an older driver will involve these issues, but certain age-related factors do show up more often in these cases.

Some examples of common causes of car accidents involving older motorists include the following:

Slower Reaction Time – Some drivers react more slowly as they age, especially during sudden or stressful situations. For example, they might not hit the brakes fast enough when a car ahead stops without warning. This delay can turn a close call into a rear-end collision or worse.
Vision Problems – Driving requires clear sight, but age can bring cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. These conditions can blur vision, limit peripheral sight, or cause trouble with glare from headlights. Even if they wear glasses, older drivers might struggle to see the road clearly.
Confusion – Busy roads and intersections can overwhelm and confuse older drivers. Some older adults might misjudge who has the right of way, pull out into traffic too early, or turn from the wrong lane. These mistakes can cause dangerous accidents, especially in high-speed areas.
Medication-Related Impairment – Some older adults take medications for conditions like high blood pressure or arthritis. Some of these drugs cause drowsiness, dizziness, or delayed thinking. If drivers fail to consider these side effects, they might drive while impaired without realizing it.
Difficulty Judging Speed and Distance – Age can affect depth perception and spatial awareness, which makes it difficult to gauge the speed or distance of other cars. Older drivers might change lanes or merge, thinking they have enough time, only to crash with fast-approaching vehicles.
Fatigue and Reduced Stamina – Long drives can wear out older drivers more quickly than younger ones, and fatigue makes it harder to stay alert. Some drivers might not realize how tired they feel until they miss a stop sign or react too slowly to changes in traffic flow.

Factors That Increase the Dangers of Elderly Driving

Driving helps many older drivers stay independent, connected, and active. However, with age comes certain changes that increase the risk of serious accidents. These changes often affect the body, mind, and senses in ways that make it more difficult to drive safely. The following factors can increase the risk of accidents and make driving more dangerous for some seniors:

Age-related health conditions like dementia that affect alertness and decision-making
Medication side effects that cause drowsiness, dizziness, slower thinking, or delayed reactions
Declining eyesight and hearing that make it harder to see signs, spot hazards, or hear warnings
Stiff joints, weak muscles, or arthritis that limit movement and slow physical responses
Slower reflexes and judgment errors that lead to unsafe turns, lane changes, or merging

Types of Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers

Many elderly drivers causing accidents have physical, mental, or sensory limitations that affect how they react to traffic, judge space, or handle their vehicles. Some seniors drive safely well into their golden years, but others struggle with driving tasks like turning, yielding, or merging, especially in fast-moving or complex traffic scenarios. Common examples of the types of accidents that can result from these challenges include the following:

Left-Turn Crashes at Intersections – Some older drivers crash while turning left because they misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic or take too long to complete their turns.
Side-Impact Collisions from Failure to Yield – Some older drivers fail to yield the right-of-way at stop signs or when merging. This can cause side-impact (T-bone) collisions.
Rear-End Crashes from Delayed Braking – Reaction time tends to slow with age, and that delay can show up in rear-end crashes.
Merging Accidents on Highways – Highway driving requires quick judgments and fast lane changes. Older drivers sometimes merge too slowly or miss fast-moving cars in their blind spots.
Backing-Up Collisions in Parking Lots – Low-speed crashes in parking lots are common among older drivers, especially while backing up.

Compensation Available in Car Accidents Involving Senior Drivers

New York has a no-fault car accident system, which means drivers start by turning to their own insurance after a car accident, no matter who caused the crash. If you get hurt in a car accident involving an older driver in New York, you’ll first file a claim with your own insurance under your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP covers things like medical bills, income losses, and some other out-of-pocket expenses. However, it does not pay for pain and suffering or anything beyond basic economic losses.

In some cases, you can “step outside” of the no-fault system and sue the other driver if your injuries meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold. In this context, serious injuries include things like broken bones, long-term disabilities, or major losses of body function. If you meet the serious injury standard, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and seek more compensation. That might include money for your pain and suffering, future medical care, and reduced earning ability.

An elderly accident attorney can explain what options you have based on how badly you got hurt and help you maximize your payout.

Call Our Queens Car Accident Attorneys After a Crash Caused by an Elderly Driver

If you got hurt in a crash caused by an elderly driver, The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., can help you understand your options and work to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us now to arrange your free initial consultation. We’re ready to hear your side of the story and help you move forward after your car accident.