The information in this blog post has not been updated to accurately reflect the current trends and information related to this topic. Should you require legal advice, please contact a personal injury lawyer or certified professional for additional information and resources. 

At the start of November each year, it is National Senior Safety Week. One of the matters on which the Canada Safety Council focuses at this time is the challenge that come with age and how it affects the ability to continue driving. For most seniors in Ontario, giving up driving might seem like losing the last bit of independence they still had. Sadly, the truth is that many personal injury lawsuits follow car accidents in which older drivers were at fault.

Ontario people, whose elderly parents still drive their own vehicles, are reminded that part of caring for them is looking out for tell tale signs of age-related mental and physical impairment. People age at different rates, and it is crucial to recognize the changes and work on ways to compensate. There are specific things that people with elderly loved ones can monitor to allow them to continue driving for a bit longer without endangering themselves and others.

Signs to look out for:

Deteriorating hearing and vision is par for the course in the ageing process, and regular hearing and vision examinations could ensure eyeglasses and hearing aids are of the necessary strength. It is also essential to make sure elderly drivers do not take to the roads without those hearing and vision aids. Medication can be lifesaving, but it could also be deadly if the side effects impair driving skills. Combining prescription and over-the-counter medicines, or seeing different doctors who prescribe different medications, could be dangerous. Each doctor should be informed of other prescriptions.

Unfortunately, seniors who do not stop driving when it becomes clear that they can no longer do so safely could be named as defendants in personal injury lawsuits if they are deemed at fault in auto accidents. Victims of such accidents in Ontario can secure the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer to assist throughout the dealing with insurance companies. If such claims go to civil court, legal counsel can be a valuable asset in the pursuit of economic and non-economic damage recovery.

Contact The Morris Law Group

If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious accident, contact The Morris Law Group for a free no obligation consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. We have been practicing personal injury law in Hamilton and the Golden Horseshoe for over 60 years. We ensure that your rights are preserved and that you receive the personal attention you deserve. At our law firm we work on a contingency basis, meaning that you don’t pay until your case settles.

All personal injury firms will work to get you the best settlement, but only at The Morris Law Group will you get the care and support you need at such a difficult time. Contact us today.