For many seniors, transportation is one aspect of staying healthy and independent. If they don’t have a reliable way to get to appointments or the store, then it makes it more difficult for them to stay in their homes as they get older.
Social isolation is a big problem for a lot of seniors, too, which is why even if you don’t drive, finding a way to get where you need to go is still so important, as is finding an affordable option.
Luckily, there are many transportation resources you can use in Florida to help you get around town and stay active. Find some of the transportations services available to seniors in Florida here and what they can do if ever involved in an accident while using these options.
Transportation Options for Seniors in Florida
There are several ways for seniors to find affordable options for transportation across Florida. The most popular include:
County Public Transportation
Depending on where you live, the county may offer low-cost or even free public transportation options for seniors who need door-to-door rides. The best way to see if your area offers this type of service is to contact your local Area Agency on Aging. They often have a list of transportation providers they can provide to you who are local.
GoGoGrandparent
This is a concierge service that helps to connect seniors looking for rides with ride services such as Uber or Lyft. They will order a car for you to go to your location and they can often be there within minutes.
This is a great option for seniors that can get in and out of a car without assistance. The price for this service is the cost of the rideshare service plus an additional fee for the concierge. Generally, this costs less than a taxi.
You simply call their toll-free number to talk to a live operator who sets up the ride for you. The drivers are screened and monitored for safety and they can accommodate foldable wheelchairs and walkers.
Veyo
This is a company that works with health facilities and insurance companies to provide medical transportation for seniors. It’s non-emergency medical transportation that may be covered by your insurance. It’s a good option for seniors who need vehicles to accommodate a wheelchair or other assistive device.
Check with your insurance to see if they cover this service to take you to and from your medical appointments, then they’ll set you up to start receiving rides.
Lyft
For seniors interested in managing rideshare on their own, this on-demand rideshare service can have a vehicle at your door in minutes. All you need to do is order one up through your smartphone after installing their app.
Rates are usually lower than taxis and are a great option for seniors who are independent and comfortable using a smartphone.
What To Do If You’re In an Accident
Getting a ride is great but you should be prepared in case an accident happens. If you’re not the one behind the wheel, there are things you should do to protect yourself and your interests.
First, take stock to ensure you don’t have any injuries. If you’re OK, then make sure the police are called in order to document the accident. If you do need medical help, then call 911 and get medical help immediately.
Florida has a variety of personal injury protection insurance laws, so make sure you get a copy of the police report in case you are injured so you and your lawyer can get the compensation you deserve.
About the Author:
Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all kinds of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and named one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators. Mr. Winston is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2020 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite,” recognized by Expertise as one of the 20 Best Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys, named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015-2017, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida for 2015-2017 and 2019.
