Vero Beach Car Crash Kills 1, Injures 3
A Vero Beach resident was killed recently in a deadly car crash on U.S. Route 1 outside Vista Royale. Three other people were sent to the hospital with traumatic injuries following the accident. Continue reading for more about the recent Indian River County fatal car accident, and contact an experienced Vero Beach auto accident lawyer for help if you’ve been hurt in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident in Vero Beach.
Vero Beach resident causes deadly crash
Around 1:15 p.m. on a recent Tuesday, an 87-year-old Vero Beach resident was driving his 2018 Nissan Versa down U.S. 1 when he tried to turn left into Vista Royale. He failed to see a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic heading north on the 1. The Chevy hit the front left of the Nissan Versa outside the entrance to Vista Royale. The Nissan had a passenger in the car, an 84-year-old Vero Beach resident. The passenger of the Nissan and the passenger of the Chevy Sonic, a 35-year-old man, reportedly suffered serious injuries, while the driver of the Chevy, a 22-year-old woman, suffered only minor injuries. All were taken by ambulance to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute. The driver of the Chevy was later pronounced dead at the Indian River Medical Center, having suffered a heart attack. All parties were wearing seatbelts and alcohol was not a factor, reported responders, as they continued to investigate the cause of the crash.
Senior drivers present additional dangers on the road
According to federal statistics, senior citizens are at a much higher risk for involvement in severe car accidents. The number of fatal crashes-per-mile-traveled is highest among drivers aged 85 years or older, although beginning at age 60 the number of seniors involved in multiple-vehicle crashes jumps significantly. While seniors over the age of 70 tend to be safer than younger drivers in terms of cell phone use, seat belt use, and driving while impaired by alcohol or other drugs, the natural medical issues that arise with advanced age create dangers for elderly drivers and others on the road.
Many states have additional licensing requirements for senior citizens, including more frequent renewals, limited online or mailed renewals in favor of in-person renewal, and additional required vision and road tests. In Florida, drivers age 80 and older must renew their license every six years, and the renewal process includes a vision test. Florida law also allows the DHSMV to impose additional requirements for senior citizens to drive such as wearing corrective eyewear, installing additional rearview mirrors, and restrictions on nighttime driving.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in the Vero Beach, FL area, please contact The Law Offices of Keith Bregoff PA at (772) 492-8967. From taking the right steps after a crash to celebrating your recovery, we’ll guide you through your car accident settlement with smart, strong, and compassionate legal representation.
