I believe my elderly loved one can no longer drive safely and could cause significant South Dakota personal injuries if behind the wheel. How do I talk to my loved one about this?

If you have age-related driving concerns, trying to tell a beloved family member that you feel he or she is no longer able to drive safely is difficult. Driving is a sign of freedom to elderly and senior drivers. However, this is an important conversation to have as a costly South Dakota personal injury claim could be made against your loved one if he or she injures another while driving.

If you need to have a conversation with your beloved family member, remember the following:

Do not be vague; provide specific examples as to when your family member was not driving safely. Let your loved one know that you have noticed specific issues, such as problems making quick decisions or problems with eyesight. Be respectful when providing this information so as not to appear antagonistic.
Bring additional family members into the conversation if they have also noticed problems.
Find alternatives, such as different modes of transportation, before speaking with your loved one. It is better to have a solution to the problem than just the problem itself.
Request that the South Dakota DMV reexamine your loved one's driving abilities and speak with them about restricted drivers' licenses, which will allow your family member to continue driving.
Respect how hard it is for your loved one to hear this information about their declining driving abilities.

Sadly, there are times when an elderly driver needs to relinquish the car keys for the safety of everyone on the road. You may need to speak with your loved one's physician, who can also help determine whether driving is a concern. A physician is required to report medical conditions that inhibit a person's ability to drive safely.

If your loved one has been in a motor vehicle accident, contact a South Dakota personal injury attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Call the office toll free at (888) 733-2992 and also order a copy of our free book, The Ultimate Guide to Car and Truck Accident Cases in South Dakota: 7 Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim. Our South Dakota personal injury lawyers are here to speak with you.

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Auto Accident

South Dakota traffic accident victims can trust their personal injury claims to the qualified attorneys at Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP. Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP has offices in Sioux Falls and Parker, South Dakota. Our lawyers have been winning cases and serving South Dakota clients since 1948. If you need a fast, adaptable, approachable, and professional attorney to handle your car, truck, or motorcycle crash claim, come to the firm with a reputation you can depend on.

Business Litigation

Our reputation speaks for itself: we win cases. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota lawyers at Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP are fast, adaptable, approachable, and professional. If you are considering bringing a lawsuit on behalf of your South Dakota business, contact Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP. Our attorneys handle general business litigation and also practice before agencies, boards and commissions of state and local government. Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP has been serving clients and winning cases in South Dakota since 1948.

Criminal Defense

The attorneys at Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP have a reputation for winning cases. If you have been accused of a crime, whether the charge is DUI/DWI, assault, or theft, a Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP attorney can protect your rights and make your options clear. We will go to trial, and we never pressure our clients to take a plea bargain. Our lawyers handle criminal defense cases in a fast, adaptable, approachable, and professional manner. Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP has been serving clients and winning cases in South Dakota since 1948.

Will Contest

If your South Dakota relative or loved one left a will that seems questionable, or if you need to defend a will against false claims, contact Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP. With offices in Sioux Falls and Parker, SD, our attorneys help families, heirs, and beneficiaries in will contests involving questions of fraud, undue influence, mental capacity, and more. Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP’s fast, adaptable, approachable, and professional lawyers have been serving clients and winning cases in South Dakota since 1948. Please contact us at 877-336-1650 to discuss your case.

Personal Injury

Have you suffered a catastrophic personal injury in South Dakota? Visit this page and call a Sioux Falls personal injury attorney at Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP.