Author: Anthony Proffitt

More seniors in Knoxville are living longer than ever and are holding on to their driving privileges much longer. Even though they have a wealth of driving experience, many seniors still find themselves involved in car accidents. Older people have different driving habits than they had when they were younger.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of senior motorists who sustain injuries in car accidents is 586. The number of older drivers on the roads increased by 34 percent from 1999 to 2012, resulting in 36 million senior citizens who exercise their driving privileges. Older drivers who are involved in car crashes are more likely to suffer from severe injuries than younger motorists. This is due to their age, diminished vision and cognitive abilities, medication and less dexterity, states ABC News.

Older drivers are often considered one of the safest driving groups because they limit the amount of time they spend on the roads. They are less likely to travel when it is dark outside and in areas like the freeway where there is a high volume of traffic. Senior drivers also tend to wear their seatbelts when they are behind the wheel. However, when they do get into accidents, it is often because they make critical driving mistakes, such as driving too slowly, keeping an improper driving distance and not noticing traffic signs.

Seniors who take certain medications, exhibit diminished vision, mental functions and lack driving confidence are at risk for car wrecks and should consider using an alternative means of transportation.

Motorists in Tennessee should be on guard against uninsured and underinsured drivers. These people are not only carelessly disregarding the law, they are also putting every other motorist who is on the road with them at risk for harm and financial setbacks. According to Insurance Information Institute, only 49 of the 50 states require drivers to have auto insurance. Some of the drivers who are on the road only carry the bare minimum that is allowed, others do not have a policy at all.

When car accidents happen that involve uninsured and underinsured drivers, it is hard for victims to recover financially from the damage and injuries they may have incurred. The cost of injuries and damages are usually catastrophic. Having the state minimum in auto insurance is not enough to cover the financial aftermath of most car accidents, states ConsumerReports.org. Many insured drivers who find themselves dealing with this type of situation must pay for these expenses themselves or sue the at-fault driver, which is no guarantee of payment. Any expenses that they incur that are not covered by their own policies they have to pay for themselves.

There are ways drivers can protect themselves from uninsured and underinsured drivers. Many insurers offer uninsured and underinsured coverage that can be added into existing policies. This type of coverage makes it possible for innocent drivers to receive some type of compensation if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. It only applies if the victim’s insurer does not cover any injuries or damages that occurred from the situation.

Auto insurance may be so expensive to some people that they opt to drive without enough or any coverage at all. However, dealing with the consequences of car accidents is much more expensive and can present financial challenges for many years to come. Drivers can protect themselves from having to deal with this type of situation by checking their policies and adding underinsured and uninsured coverage.

A hit-and-run accident can leave Knoxville families with unanswered questions, hefty medical expenses and heartbreak. In the long run, a driver who leaves the scene of an accident faces severe legal reprisals. The best decision any driver can make is the responsible one: to follow the law, remain at the site of the accident and render assistance in any way possible.

Unfortunately, the driver who fatally struck a pedestrian in Knox County in mid-November opted to disappear from the scene, leaving behind a devastated family to search for answers. Law enforcement was able to identify the vehicle and the driver, whose actions only made the situation more tragic.

Knoxville drivers who end up in such a crash have several legal obligations. The driver’s first responsibility is to provide reasonable aid to injured persons. This includes requesting medical assistance when such treatment is requested by the injured party or when physician aid appears necessary.

Drivers must also report the accident to law enforcement. These days, most drivers are likely to be able to make the emergency call by cell phone, but in areas with poor coverage, it may be necessary to leave the scene to find the closest authority. No driver, however, should depart until the necessary medical assistance has been provided.

Last but not least, drivers involved in a crash are required to exchange vehicle registration and insurance information as well as driver’s license numbers, names and addresses. Failure to follow these steps can have severe consequences, particularly when one or more individuals are injured or killed in a crash. Drivers should never consider hit-and-run a viable option.