As we as society age together, there are some things that become more difficult for the elderly.  Driving an automobile tends to be one of them, and sometimes, car accidents happen that raise questions about the ability of the elderly to drive a car.

On April 15, an 86-year-old woman’s mistake led to the wrongful death of a patient in a dentist office.  The woman, from Tierrasanta, a neighborhood in San Diego, accidentally hit the gas pedal that resulted in a car accident where she drove into the dental office.

Our car accident attorneys know the responsibility to prevent this from happening falls on the Department of Motor Vehicles.  When government agencies fail to keep roads safe for drivers and car crashes occur, an experienced car accident attorney can make sure that someone is held liable for a mistake in a fatal car accident.

Traffic investigators are recommending that the woman be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter as a result of the wrongful death car crash.  According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, anyone over the age of 70 must renew their driver’s license at a DMV office.  They must also take a vision test, but not a driving ability test.

One man, the partner of the person who died as a result of the car accident, wants that to change.

“I think it was wrong she was still able to drive, why would anyone let her drive at 86-years-old?” he said.

The man is obviously upset about what happened to his partner, but as car accident attorneys, we recommend that these matters should happen on a case-by-case basis.  In fact, car accident statistics show that elderly drivers are getting in fewer accidents than ever before.

Always remember, just because one car accident happen with one elderly individual, an entire society of elderly people should not be villainized for one person’s mistake.

Call us now at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney after you get into a car accident and find out how we can help you.  We speak English and Spanish, and we look forward to providing advice for your case.  No fee if no recovery.