In the aftermath of a serious car accident, you may be facing physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial hardships. Pursuing compensation from the negligent driver who caused the accident may be key to getting your life back on track after the incident. What if a medical emergency causes the crash?
When the cause of a car accident is linked to a medical condition, negligence and responsibility are not always straightforward. The experienced car accident lawyers at Grover Law Firm can help you establish the facts of your case and determine whether you can hold the other driver responsible for your damages.
Below, we will discuss how various medical conditions can lead to an accident and the impact this may have on a car accident claim.
Medical Conditions That Cause Car Accidents
Any kind of disorder or medical condition that impacts a driver’s coordination, reflexes, mental capacities, or judgment can cause an automobile accident.
Common examples of medical conditions repeatedly linked to car accidents include:
- Cardiovascular disease: Coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases may put drivers at a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Suffering this kind of medical emergency while behind the wheel poses a significant threat to road safety.
- Diabetes: Low blood sugar levels can impair a diabetic driver’s judgment, leading to a car crash. Furthermore, some diabetic patients may suffer from weakness, numbness, and pain in their hands and feet, potentially making it difficult to grip the wheel or break properly, among other things.
- Seizure disorders: Epilepsy and other seizure disorders are often well controlled with medication. Yet, a driver may still experience an unexpected seizure while on the road. Seizures can cause a person to lose control of the vehicle, causing a critical accident.
- Severe pain: If a driver experiences sudden and intense pain, it may become difficult to focus on the road. The vehicle may drift, veer off the road, and crash.
- Loss of consciousness or vertigo: When a driver faints, an accident is highly likely. Further, an episode of vertigo can cause a person to become dizzy and disoriented, making it difficult to control the car.
- Mental health conditions: According to one study, people with mental illness are associated with a higher risk of vehicle crashes. Such things as cognitive issues, psychomotor impairment, and the side effects of medication may make it unsafe for some people suffering from mental health conditions to operate a vehicle.
These and other medical conditions can lead to severe accidents. To hold a driver liable in a car crash, you will need to discern whether he or she had prior knowledge of the condition and had taken proactive measures to manage health risks.
Reasonably Foreseeable Medical Emergencies in Car Accident Cases
Oftentimes, drivers involved in car accidents caused by medical emergencies are aware that they have a medical condition prior to the crash. Previous knowledge of a medical condition may weaken a driver’s legal defense if he or she causes an accident due to a medical emergency.
Additionally, drivers who have certain health conditions or have experienced episodes of incapacity have an obligation to uphold the safety of others by staying off the road.
That said, not all medical conditions make a person unfit to be behind the wheel. The risk of some pre-existing conditions is well mitigated when an individual takes reasonable care, such as taking medications and seeking the appropriate medical approval to drive.
Accidents Involving Sudden Medical Emergencies
An accident can occur when a driver experiences a sudden and unexpected medical emergency. For instance, a driver may have no prior medical history of heart problems or seizures but, in a matter of moments, blacks out and loses control of the vehicle.
In such an unforeseen medical emergency, a person has little or no time to take the necessary precautions to avoid an auto accident. Under such circumstances, the driver may be able to use the sudden medical condition as a defense to avoid liability for the crash.
Determining Liability for Car Accidents Caused by Medical Conditions
In general, to prove fault in a car accident claim, you will need to establish that the other driver was negligent. In a regular car accident case, the person found to have caused the crash is usually financially responsible for the resulting damages.
To prove the other driver’s negligence in a car accident insurance claim or in court, the accident victim typically needs to demonstrate the following:
- The law required the other person involved in the accident to exercise reasonable care to drive safely
- The other driver failed to practice proper care
- You suffered injuries or personal losses
- Your injuries and losses were a direct result of the other person’s negligent behavior
However, determining negligence and liability in a car crash caused by a medical emergency can be much more complicated. There are several key considerations that can help establish the circumstances that led to the accident and whether negligence played a part.
The time frame of the car accident
The time that elapsed from the onset of the medical emergency until the actual car crash is important.
In some cases, there was enough time for the driver to regain control of the vehicle, and the accident could have been avoided. Additionally, if there were warning signs that a medical event was about to take place, the driver could have pulled over so as not to cause an accident.
It is also of concern whether the medical emergency truly happens before the collision. For instance, did the driver suffer a heart attack before the car accident or as a result of the accident? The answers regarding the timing of the accident and the medical condition in question may significantly impact your ability to seek compensation for your losses.
The foreseeability of the auto accident
Whether the other driver was aware of a pre-existing medical condition that could impede his or her ability to drive safely is a decisive aspect in every accident claim involving a medical emergency.
As previously stated, if the driver knew about a health condition and failed to take the necessary precautions to prevent a potential accident, he or she may be found negligent and thus liable. His or her medical records will provide clear evidence if a pre-existing condition was present and if professional medical advice was being properly followed.
At times, an individual with a pre-existing condition has obtained proper medical clearance to drive but still experiences a medical event resulting in an accident. In such cases, the driver’s compliance with medical guidance may be a sound defense against the allegations of negligence.
The driver’s credibility
The driver who caused the auto accident may claim that he or she suffered a sudden medical emergency. While this may be true, it is in your best interest to thoroughly investigate the accident.
Evidence that may be helpful in establishing what happened and whether a medical condition impacted the chain of events includes:
- Police and accident reports
- Photographs and video footage from the scene of the incident
- Eyewitness testimony
- Medical expenses and medical records
To successfully resolve an insurance claim in an accident where the driver is claiming a medical condition, you may have to go to significant lengths to determine the person’s credibility and degree of liability.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You After an Accident Caused by Medical Conditions
Accidents resulting from medical conditions or sudden emergencies can be extremely stressful. The burden of proving liability and worrying about who will pay for your damages can take a significant toll on your well-being. In such a situation, a personal injury lawyer is the advocate you need to protect your legal rights and guide you through the accident claim process.
An attorney experienced in cases involving medical conditions can assist you in significant ways:
- Explaining your rights: A personal injury lawyer knows the laws and how these will pertain to an accident caused by a medical situation. He or she can help to determine whether the driver had a known pre-existing medical condition and whether negligence led to the accident. After establishing such facts, your attorney can clarify what kind of compensation you may be entitled to receive.
- Offering advice: Your lawyer can give you objective advice on how to proceed with your claim. A well-practiced personal injury attorney can interact and negotiate with lawyers, medical personnel, and insurance adjusters on your behalf.
- Navigating the legal system: Accident claims commonly involve filing a significant amount of paperwork. Your attorney will help you to do this in an organized and timely manner, ensuring that no important deadlines are missed.
- Assessing losses: Your attorney can help you assess your past and current damages as well as evaluate what your future expenses may be. This is critical in pursuing rightful and fair compensation for victims of traffic accidents.
- Representing you in court: Although auto accident cases are most often settled out of court, in the event your case does go to trial, having experienced court representation can ensure a more favorable outcome.
After an accident caused by medical conditions, hiring a qualified attorney is in your best interest. He or she will be able to determine liability and help you seek compensation for what you have suffered.
Contact Grover Law Firm for the Support You Deserve
Handling vehicle accidents caused by a medical condition can be physically and emotionally taxing. Such incidents often lead to unique questions about negligence and liability. When a driver suffers an unforeseen medical emergency, the consequences can be tragic. Still, as an accident victim, you have the right to explore all options for compensation.
At Grover Law Firm, we have dedicated our careers to helping injury and accident victims get the restitution necessary to rebuild their lives after a tragic event. Our team of personal injury lawyers is adept at handling all manners of car accident litigation, including cases involving medical emergencies.
Please call us at the number below or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. A member of our legal team is standing by to help.