The risk for a car crash in Georgia is highest among teen drivers and drivers aged 65 or older. Unfortunately, these two age groups raise the risk even more by tending to drive older vehicles that are not as safe as newer models. This was the conclusion of a study published in Traffic Injury Prevention.
What the study involved
The researchers belong to the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Their data came from the New Jersey Safety and Health Outcomes Data Warehouse and covered all crashes in that state from 2010 to 2017. The researchers found from the VIN of each vehicle what its model year, vehicle type and engine power were. They also looked for electronic stability control and front, side and curtain airbags.
It turns out that teens and older drivers usually own older vehicles that don’t come with these safety features. Airbags help prevent injuries in crashes while electronic stability control keeps cars under control on sharp curves and slippery roads; researchers say the feature can be as effective as seat belts are in preventing crash fatalities.
Income is another factor
It’s important to remember that drivers in a low-income neighborhood may not be able to afford a newer, safer vehicle. Researchers acknowledged that this was true among all age groups. They encouraged drivers to seek the safest vehicles possible within their price range.
What to do after a car accident
The motor vehicle accident you were involved in left you with serious injuries. Perhaps the fact that your vehicle was old played a part, but this has no bearing on your degree of fault. If the other driver was clearly negligent, you may file a claim against his or her auto insurance company. In your effort to achieve a reasonable settlement out of court, a lawyer may prove helpful.
