A recent blog entry dealt with the children who were vulnerable to pedestrian accidents in Ontario. But there is another group who is also at high risk of harm from these type of accidents — senior citizens.
There are various reasons for this. Today’s senior citizens often remain active far longer than their counterparts in past generations. Many continue to work and volunteer well into their 70s and 80s and are on the go from place to place.
Additionally, many senior citizens choose to "age in place" in suburbs where there may be few amenities available nearby. Seniors also are living longer, and many are caregivers for their grandchildren.
Seniors who no longer drive but need to get to doctor’s visits, shopping centres and other community locations might find it too far to walk. Getting in and out of public transportation and crossing streets can increase their vulnerability to being injured in a pedestrian accident. Some risk factors they face include:
— Difficulties judging vehicle speeds and distances
— Vision problems, especially after dark
— Getting distracted easily
— Having limited range of motion affecting their mobility
— Problems focusing for long periods
— Delayed reaction times
— Needing more time to comprehend what they hear and see
— Increased use of over-the-counter and prescription medications to manage health conditions
If you are a senior citizen in Ontario who was injured in a pedestrian accident by an at-fault driver, you could be entitled to seek financial compensation for your losses. The process of filing a claim for damages can be daunting for some people. Seeking legal counsel is a good idea under these circumstances.
Source: allontario.ca, "Pedestrian – Accidents," accessed Jan. 15, 2016