Accidents Involving Vision-Impaired Drivers

Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyers Helping Miami Residents

With variable weather, many elderly drivers, and constant highway construction in South Florida, the likelihood of an accident involving a vision-impaired driver grows exponentially. People who take to the road knowing they have impaired vision are dangerous to everyone around them, including other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Drivers responsible for causing accidents due to their poor eyesight should be held accountable for the harm that results. The Miami car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon help victims of these types of collisions advocate for their right to proper compensation from liable parties. We represent clients in many cities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.

Assert Your Rights after a Car Accident Caused by a Vision-Impaired Driver

In the aftermath of an accident in which impaired vision is suspected to be involved, an evaluation of a driver’s eyesight may require some of the following investigations:

• A determination of whether any drivers involved normally wear prescription glasses or contacts, and whether they were worn at the time of the collision;
• An examination of any optometrist or ophthalmologist records, as well as a driver’s past eye exams, to determine whether there is a history of vision issues;
• A determination of the time frame between a driver’s last eye exam and his or her license renewal; and
• A determination of whether a driver was taking any medication that could lead to vision impairment.

Some drivers’ sight may also be impaired by the dark, which can affect color recognition, depth perception, and other vision qualities.

When a driver gets behind the wheel knowing their eyesight is limited, they should be held responsible for any injuries sustained in an accident that they cause. To pursue a personal injury claim against a vision-impaired driver, a victim must establish that the driver acted negligently. This may be shown when a defendant breaches an owed duty of care, causing an injury and resulting in quantifiable costs and losses. All drivers owe pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists a duty to act as a reasonable and prudent driver would when faced with comparable circumstances. A driver who operates a vehicle without prescribed eyeglasses or fails to have his or her eyes examined despite vision issues may be seen as unreasonable. If that visual impairment results in a driver striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk, for example, the driver may be held liable for damages.

Once a defendant is found negligent, the victim may be compensated for medical bills, the costs of future treatment, lost income, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering damages. In Florida, even if a plaintiff is found to have been partially at fault for his or her own injuries, compensation may still be recoverable in proportion to any other responsible party’s degree of fault. If a loved one is killed as a result of a vision-impaired driver’s negligence, certain family members may bring a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the victim to pursue damages for burial and funeral expenses as well as loss of consortium.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Miami

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a collision involving a vision-impaired driver, the Miami car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can guide you through the legal process. We can handle the investigative stages of a case, settlement negotiations, and any necessary litigation. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a motor vehicle collision attorney. We also represent people in cities such as Miami and West Palm Beach.

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