One man was critically injured and two children are lucky to be alive after a San Diego car accident caused by an elderly driver the afternoon of March 20, 2010. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, an 86-year-old driver was pulling his Cadillac Coupe de Ville out of a parking spot outside a Costco store, on Morena Boulevard. He hit the accelerator instead of the brake causing the Cadillac to hit a car behind him and an SUV.
Horrific Accident Causes Major Injuries
Two children, who were sitting in the SUV eating pizza, were thrown out of the parked vehicle's open doors. The Cadillac also struck the father of the two children, who was standing outside the SUV loading plants inside it, knocked him down and ran over him. The Cadillac continued driving over a 7-inch wall, a fence and across a patio stopping only after it slammed into the side of the building. The 40-year-old man who was struck sustained critical injuries including a broken pelvis, a punctured lung and internal bleeding. The two children suffered minor injuries.
My heart goes out to the injured man and his family. What a terrible thing to happen to a family on a weekend family outing. It is indeed fortunate that the children were not badly injured. I hope and pray that the critically injured victim makes a speedy and complete recovery. I also hope that he has not sustained any catastrophic injuries. He and his family will certainly be in my prayers.
Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers
There has been a series of recent Southern California car accidents involving elderly drivers. This incident reminds us, yet again, about the important issue of our aging driving population. California now has almost 3 million drivers who are 65 years or older, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds fatality rates for drivers begin to climb after age 65. In 2005, about 11 percent of fatal car accidents in the United States had involved drivers 65 or older.
The Law and Victim's Rights
The elderly driver's license has apparently been suspended pending a DMV review. He will be required to pass at least one written exam, a driving test and an oral interview in order to get his license back. It is not clear what caused this elderly driver to become disoriented to this level. Such accidents that involve pedal misapplication, where the driver hits the accelerator instead of the brake, are quite common among elderly drivers. They can be caused by medical conditions or medications, which can both affect a person's ability to drive. I hope this individual's case is carefully examined. If he lacks the skills or the ability, he should not be allowed to drive. It is important for the elderly to have their mobility and independence, but it should not come at the cost of public safety.
The injured victim in this case would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will carefully examine the case and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, hospitalization costs, surgery expenses, rehabilitation, physical therapy, loss of wages and other related damages.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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Bob said:
I think that the elderly should have to take driving tests when they reach the age 65.