A new study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, has found that among seniors ages 65 to 79 years, the chances of traffic accidents increase in the year after they start developing migraines.
If you have been injured by a driver and would like help with your insurance or legal claim to get fair compensation, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Our father-son attorney team and family-based law firm are here for you.
What Does the Study Say?
Dr. Carolyn G. DiGuiseppi, of the University of Colorado, and her colleagues published the study. They found no association between long-standing migraines in seniors and car accidents. That is, seniors who had had migraines for years, either regularly or off and on, had no increased risk of collisions.
However, the same study of 2,589 drivers found that senior drivers who suddenly started having migraines after not having them before had a 12.5% higher risk of collisions in the year following the onset of migraines. The study found no significant link between any medication taken for the condition and an increase in traffic crashes.
Researchers concluded that better clinical management and better intervention for seniors diagnosed with a first migraine could help keep this group of motorists safer on the road.
What Are the Risks?
This latest study is one of several pieces of research to examine the link between health conditions and driver safety. Medical conditions can have an impact on our safety behind the wheel, sometimes for reasons that aren’t entirely understood.
Here’s what drivers of all ages can do to prevent collisions:
- Carefully manage new conditions. A new diagnosis should prompt a review with a medical professional to determine how the diagnosis could impact driving ability. A patient needs to carefully follow all treatment and doctor recommendations to avoid putting other drivers and pedestrians at risk.
- Review medications often. A pharmacists should review your medications with you regularly to make sure they won’t cause drowsiness and won’t interact with each other in a way that puts you at risk of car accidents. Be sure to review any supplements or over-the-counter medications you’re taking, too, since these can affect how prescription medications work.
- Go over any new symptoms with a doctor. An undiagnosed illness or physical impairment can be dangerous if you’re a driver. If you notice any symptoms, always get a medical evaluation. Never brush off potential illnesses that could affect your driving.
Even if you take all precautions, not all drivers are as careful. If a motorist causes your crash because they were not taking care of their health or were using medications incorrectly, you could have a claim. Before you accept an insurance offer, we invite you to call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626. We can set up a free accident consultation with a Hollywood car accident claims attorney at our Hollywood, Miami, or Homestead offices. Our family-based legal team can explain your options before you make any decisions about your potential case.
Our father-son attorney team have decades of combined experience and work with a network of medical experts, investigators, and other professionals to pursue fair compensation for our clients and to get them the answers they deserve. We have recovered over $100 million for injured car accident survivors and have a reputation for compassion and transparency.