Understanding Accidents Caused by Medical Conditions
When a car accident occurs, driver negligence, including distractions, intoxication, or speeding, is often suspected to be the cause. However, some accidents happen due to sudden or pre-existing medical conditions, making liability more complicated. When a driver claims a medical emergency caused the crash, proving fault can be challenging and stressful. Understanding the legal implications is crucial, as not all medical-related accidents excuse liability. In such cases, working with an experienced car accident attorney can help establish responsibility and protect your legal rights.
Medical Conditions That Can Lead To Car Accidents
Below are four common medical conditions that can lead to a crash:
- Cardiovascular Disease
A heart attack, stroke, or other conditions can make a driver lose consciousness or control of the vehicle, leading to an accident. This condition is particularly common among older drivers with a history of heart disease.
- Diabetes
Diabetic drivers can experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), resulting in dizziness or even blackouts while driving. If a driver’s blood sugar drops suddenly, the driver may be unable to respond appropriately, increasing the risk of an accident.
- Epilepsy and Seizures
A seizure can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle completely. If a person with epilepsy drives without taking necessary precautions, such as medication or physician approval, they could be held liable for an accident.
- Mental Health Conditions
A mental health condition such as severe anxiety or panic attacks can impair a driver’s judgment and reaction time, making them freeze, swerve, or lose control of their vehicle.
Legal Considerations: How Is Fault Determined?
Determining fault in accidents caused by medical conditions isn’t always straightforward. In many states, including Florida, the sudden medical emergency doctrine can protect a driver from liability if they experienced an unexpected medical event that led to the crash. To use this defense, the driver must prove:
- They suddenly lost consciousness before the accident
- The condition was unforeseen and beyond their control
- The sudden loss of consciousness directly caused the accident.
For instance, if a driver with undiagnosed epilepsy suffers a sudden seizure behind the wheel, they might not be held liable under this doctrine. However, if they had a known history of seizures and chose to drive without taking precautions, they could be found negligent. Similarly, if a diabetic driver goes all day without eating or managing their blood sugar and experiences a crash, they may be held responsible for not taking precautionary measures.
In Florida, remember that the state follows a no-fault insurance system. You must first claim damages from your insurance company, regardless of fault, and can only pursue additional compensation from the other driver if you suffered significant injuries. Therefore, if the latter applies to your case and the at-fault driver blames a medical condition for the accident, you need skilled legal help to pursue compensation. A lawyer can comb through the at-fault driver’s medical records and work with expert witnesses to determine if the medical episode was truly unexpected or if the driver knew or should have known about the condition and the risks of driving with the condition.
The Pendas Law Firm Is Here To Help
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by a driver experiencing a medical emergency or other circumstances, contact our seasoned West Palm Beach car accident lawyer at The Pendas Law Firm today to discuss your case.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Orlando, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Bradenton, Miami, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
law.cornell.edu/wex/emergency_doctrine