What age group has the highest rate of auto accidents? | Santa Clara County Car Accident Attorney

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Victims of auto accidents may sustain catastrophic injuries and damages that negatively affect their lives. Unfortunately a common cause of auto accidents is negligence. However, if one analyzes the cause of accidents, one may find that accidents tend to occur more frequently at the fault of certain age groups. Teenagers have the highest rate of accidents due to their lack of experience on the road. Please read on and contact a skilled Santa Clara County Auto Accident Attorney if you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident as a result of another person’s negligence. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in investigating the cause of the accident and gathering pertinent evidence to support your claim.

What age group is responsible for causing the most accidents?

Teenagers have the highest rate of auto accidents. This may not come as a surprise to many as teenagers lack experience on the road which causes them to make critical errors and underestimate hazards. Newly licensed teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18 are more likely than any other age group to engage in reckless driving behavior. Teenagers often speed and are easily distracted by things such as their cellphones. Additionally, teenagers may drive while impaired by illegal substances and neglect to wear their seat belts. Teenagers also neglect to drive safely when there are inclement weather conditions. However, teenagers are not the only age group that is responsible for causing a significant amount of auto accidents. Older drivers between the ages of 70 and 85 are responsible for causing a substantial amount of auto accidents due to certain medical conditions. As a person ages, certain medical conditions may require them to take certain medications that diminish their essential capabilities needed to safely and properly operate a vehicle. Additionally, as a person ages they experience reduced vision and hearing as well as reduced motor skills. This hinders an older driver’s ability to drive. Older drivers have slower reaction times and reflexes. They also have reduced coordination and strength as their muscles and joints become weaker and stiffer as they age. Furthermore, older drivers may develop cognitive disorders that cause confusion. An older driver may forget where they are heading or get lost which could cause them to panic and make a rash decision which could lead to an accident. Nevertheless, regardless of age, it is imperative for all motorists to abide by the rules of the road to ensure everyone’s safety.

Unfortunately, regardless of age, auto accidents can happen due to another person’s negligent actions. When that is the case, victims may recover economic and non-economic damages for their losses. However, they must fulfill the burden of proof. In California, victims of auto accidents have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against a negligent party. It is imperative for victims to obtain the legal assistance of a dedicated attorney. Get in touch with a member of our team if you or someone you care about has been injured in an auto accident. Our firm can assist you in filing a claim within the right time frame to recover financial compensation for your damages.