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"Since May is National Arthritis Month, we at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. feel it is important to cover how arthritis can affect driving, how to prevent possible vehicle accidents, and what to do should osteoarthritis occur as the result of a vehicle accident," said Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) reported in Meeting the Challenge of Living Well At A Glance 2014 that arthritis is the nation's most common cause of disability, limiting the activities of 22.7 million Americans.  It estimates that one in five (52.5 million) U.S. adults report having doctor-diagnosed arthritis. By 2030 the CDC expects the number of adults with arthritis to increase sharply to 67 million.

Christopher Evans, DSc, Ph.D., the Maurice Mueller Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston says, "Everybody says that arthritis is one word. But the conditions are quite different."

The CDC reports that arthritis includes more than one hundred different rheumatic diseases and conditions with the most common being osteoarthritis. Other forms occurring often are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and gout.

When one thinks of arthritis, one may likely think it only occurs in older Americans. However, the CDC reports that is not the case. It says that nearly two-thirds of people with arthritis are younger than 65. The average age of onset is between 30 and 50. It is more common among women (26%) than men (19%) in every age group, and affects all racial and ethnic groups.

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) says that because arthritis can make joints swollen, stiff and inflamed, it can limit how far drivers can bend or move shoulders, hands, head and neck functions such as grasping steering wheels, applying brakes and gas pedals, putting on seat belts, and looking over shoulders to check blind spots. Further, if hips, knees, ankles or feet are affected there may be difficulty in getting in and out of vehicles.

Most people with arthritis can safely drive depending on which joints are affected and how well the condition is managed. Physicians may prescribe medications. However, the NHTSA says to be careful that the prescribed medications do not make drivers sleepy. It also recommends arthritic patients stay fit and active by doing exercises to keep joints strong and supple. Rehabilitation centers or specialists can offer training to improve driving skills if arthritis affects driving ability.

For more information about arthritis you may contact:

• Arthritis Foundation 1-800-283-7800 - org
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse 1-877-26-4267 - nih.gov

Osteoarthritis (post-traumatic osteoarthritis) is not uncommon following a vehicle accident. Experts say that approximately 12 percent of all cases of osteoarthritis of the hip, knee and ankle are caused by some type of trauma or accident. As with any type of personal injury following an accident, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately. Physicians must specifically diagnose the injured person with osteoarthritis and specifically indicate in writing that the osteoarthritis was caused by the accident. The damages for this injury are no different from other types of injuries occurring in vehicle accidents. The injured person is entitled to recover from the negative effects of the osteoarthritis, medical bills, and pain and suffering which may limit the ability to work.

"If you have been involved in an accident, seek legal advice," says Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.