A driver who was traveling in the wrong direction in McPherson County caused a fatal head-on car crash Friday afternoon.  The impact caused the death of the driver that was driving in the opposite direction of traffic.  The other driver and a passenger were also injured and transported to Memorial Hospital in McPherson.  The driver who was traveling in the wrong-direction was 80 years old.  While no other details are available at this time about the accident, this tragedy underscores the danger associated with head-on car accidents, which typically are caused by one of the vehicles traveling the wrong way on the freeway.

These accidents are particularly deadly because the force of the impact is multiplied exponentially as the vehicles absorb all of the force.  Head-on collisions are the most likely type of passenger vehicle crash to result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.  What is unusual about the McPherson County crash is that it happened during daytime hours at 3:00 PM.  These crashes are more typical at night when drivers become confused and make a mistake or are in someway impaired and do not notice that other vehicles are traveling in the opposite direction.

Head-on car crashes typically are a result of serious driver error or driver impairment.  Factors that most commonly contribute to head-on collisions in Kansas include:

• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Advanced age or inexperienced drivers who become confused
• Poorly marked or designated on-ramps or off-ramps

While there is too little information available to know if the driver’s age contributed to the accident, there is a lot of data that suggests it is important to more closely monitor elderly loved ones who continue driving.  A study conducted by Carnegie Melon University found that drivers who are over the age of 85 have a 400% greater chance of being killed in a car accident than inexperienced teen drivers.  The study also revealed that drivers between the ages of 75 and 85 have the same likelihood of being involved in a fatal car accident as teen drivers between the ages of 16-20.  Certainly, many elderly drivers continue to remain good drivers even at the later stages in their lives.  However, an older driver’s sensory skills and physical abilities can decline with age creating the following increased accident risks:

• Hearing declines makes it harder to hear horns, siren and motorcycles
• Poor vision can make it difficult to see down the road or distort depth perception
• Reflexes can be slower increasing the reaction time needed to respond to hazards
• Some elderly drivers experience impaired cognitive abilities which can affect decision making

This is only a short list of factors that can make senior drivers in Kansas more likely to be involved in fatal head-on accidents like the one in McPherson County.  Many of us have ridden with an elderly family member and had a white knuckle ride.  However, it can be extremely difficult to approach the topic of an older family member discontinuing their driving.  Driving is a sign of freedom and independence that many older Kansas drivers have no desire to surrender.  The attempt to take car keys away from a senior citizen can lead to hard feelings and outright refusal.  However, the consequences of not taking action to prevent your love one whose driving skills have declined due to age from taking to the road can mean death or serious injury to your loved one or someone else on Kansas roads.

If you have a loved one that may represent an unreasonable risk of causing a car accident, there are some approaches that you can take to help your loved on preserve their independence:

• Set up a buddy system so that a person is always available to ride in the passenger seat
• Arrange for local van service, which can be prepaid
• Schedule outings where you or someone else can transport your loved one
• Make your elderly relative appear at DMV for a behind the wheel driving test and vision exam
• Ride with your family member periodically so that you can evaluate their driving

At the law firm of Cummings & Cummings LLC, we assist those throughout Sedgwick County and the south-central region of Kansas who have suffered debilitating injuries to recover the compensation that they need to rebuild their lives.  We understand that the aftermath of a Kansas car accident can mean emotional, physical and financial challenges.

Our caring and dedicated team is here to handle the administrative, insurance and financial issues so that our clients can focus on their physical recovery.  Our Wichita auto accident law firm has over 30 years of combined trial experience so call us today at 316-264-1548 to see how we can help.  No Recovery No Fee!