Statistics on Car Crashes that Involve Older Adults

Whether you are an older adult who appreciates driving in order to maintain your independence or you worry about the safety of an older family member, it is very important to understand the risks that older adults face behind the wheel. When a car crash takes place, older adults are especially vulnerable, and these accidents sometimes result in debilitating injuries that completely alter an older adult’s life.

Sadly, so many serious car accidents are the result of negligent drivers, such as speeding, drunk and distracted drivers. These reckless drivers need to answer for the consequences of their behavior.

Traffic Crash Injuries and Deaths Involving Older Adults

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 250,000 older adults (those 65 and older) received emergency treatment as a result of injuries they sustained in traffic accidents during 2019. To look at this data in another way, roughly 700 older adults needed emergency care due to car crash injuries each day.

Aside from injuries, crashes claim the lives of many older adults. During 2019, roughly 8,000 people 65 and over lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions.

Older Adults and Car Crash Risk Factors

The CDC states that one out of every five drivers in the U.S. is at least 65 years old. Some older adults struggle with medical challenges or take medications that interfere with their driving abilities. Some accidents occur due to bad weather and at night, so you should try to avoid driving when visibility is poor. If you sustain an injury because of another driver’s negligence, make sure you stand up for your rights.