Why Are Falls and Car Crashes More Likely to Injure the Elderly?

 Posted on June 28, 2026 in Personal Injury

Older adults are more likely to be seriously hurt in falls and car crashes than younger people. Physical changes that come with age make the body more vulnerable to injury, and recovery is often longer and harder. Illinois law protects elderly injury victims and gives them the right to pursue full compensation when another person's negligence causes the harm. If that happened to you or a family member in 2026, a Northbrook, IL personal injury attorney can help you understand what your claim is worth.

Why Are Elderly People More Vulnerable to Fall Injuries?

As we age, muscle loss reduces our ability to brace for impact, and declining bone density increases the risk of fractures. Vision and balance also worsen over time, and many older adults take medications that affect alertness, reaction time, or coordination. Together, these changes mean that a fall that would leave a younger person sore for a few days can send an older adult to the hospital.

The CDC reports that more than 14 million older adults, roughly one in four, fall each year. The Illinois Department of Public Health notes that an older adult dies from a fall every 20 minutes in the U.S. 

Falls among seniors most often cause:

• Broken hips, wrists, and shoulders

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries

• Spinal fractures that can lead to permanent disability

• Soft tissue injuries that are slow to heal in older adults

Any of these injuries can require surgery, extended rehabilitation, or long-term care. A personal injury claim can help ensure those costs are covered by the party whose negligence caused the fall.

Why Are Car Crashes Especially Dangerous for Older Adults in Illinois?

The same physical changes that make falls more dangerous also increase the severity of car crash injuries. Slower reaction times and reduced peripheral vision raise the likelihood of a serious collision, and when a crash does happen, older adults are far more likely to be hospitalized and to face complications during recovery.

The CDC reports that each day, 25 older adults are killed and more than 740 are injured in traffic crashes, with drivers aged 70 and older showing higher crash death rates per 1,000 crashes than middle-aged drivers. What might leave a younger person with whiplash and a few days off work can mean weeks in the hospital, surgery, and months of rehabilitation for an older adult.

What Is the Eggshell Plaintiff Rule in Illinois?

Insurers often argue that an elderly victim's age or pre-existing conditions justify a lower payout. Illinois law rejects that argument through the eggshell plaintiff rule, which holds that a defendant must take the victim as they find them. 

Illinois jury instructions explain this rule clearly. If the defendant is liable, the jury may not deny or limit damages just because the injury made a pre-existing condition worse or because the victim was more likely to be hurt. In practice, this means that medical records documenting the full scope of injuries, including complications tied to age or prior conditions, are critical evidence. Insurers and your attorney will scrutinize that documentation closely.

If an older adult has brittle bones or a prior health condition, the at-fault party is still fully responsible for every injury that results. What actually counts is the harm, not what might have happened to a younger, healthier person. An attorney who knows how to apply this rule can make a significant difference in the amount ultimately recovered. 

What Damages Can an Elderly Injury Victim Recover in Illinois?

Older adults who are injured by someone else's negligence can pursue the same types of damages as any other personal injury victim. These include medical bills, lost income if they were still working, and pain and suffering. In serious or permanent injury cases, a claim may also cover ongoing care costs and reduced quality of life.

One issue in elderly injury cases is the impact on independence. A hip fracture or a spinal injury can take away a person's ability to live at home, drive, or handle daily tasks without help. Courts recognize that the disruption to an elderly victim's life can be severe, even when their remaining earning capacity is limited. 

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, which means a victim can still recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.

Illinois also applies the eggshell rule to wrongful death cases. If a family member was killed in an accident, surviving relatives may have a claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, 740 ILCS 180. That law allows the surviving spouse and next of kin to seek compensation for financial losses, grief, sorrow, and mental suffering. Funeral costs may also be part of the claim.

Contact a Northbrook, IL Elderly Injuries Attorney for a Free Consultation

At Gruzmark Law, Ltd., our attorneys understand how much an injury can change an older adult's life. Whether your loved one was hurt in a fall, a car crash, or another accident caused by someone else's negligence, our Cook County, IL personal injury lawyers are ready to help you pursue full compensation. We speak Russian and Mongolian. Call 847-729-7660 to schedule your free consultation today.