Car accidents on their own can endanger the driver, their passengers, and the other parties in the crash. When a medical condition causes a driver to get into a car accident, however, the stacking consequences of the health crisis and the collision can have devastating consequences. If a medical emergency caused your car accident, let our personal injury lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C.tell you what you need to know.
What Medical Conditions Commonly Cause Car Accidents?
Certain sudden medical conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, or seizures, can cause drivers to abruptly lose control of their cognitive abilities, their physical motor functions, and their vehicles. Chronic conditions, like diabetes or epilepsy, can also lead to emergencies without proper management—for instance, mismanaged diabetes can lead to light-headedness or temporary blurred vision on the road. Even less dramatic issues, such as exhaustion headaches, can impair a driver’s ability to respond quickly to road hazards and make proper judgment calls.
Is the Driver Always Responsible in These Situations?
Determining liability in these sorts of car accidents can involve more legal complications than in standard car collisions. For instance, drivers may invoke the Pennsylvania “sudden medical emergency” doctrine by appealing to the unforeseen and unavoidable nature of their emergency. However, in 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a sudden medical emergency does not immediately absolve a defendant of liability; instead, it can only play a role in determining the percentage of a driver’s fault in the collision.
Pennsylvania law follows the comparative negligence theory: in order to determine a personal injury payout amount after a lawsuit, the court must assign a percentage of fault to each party in the lawsuit and adjust the payout accordingly. The “sudden medical emergency” doctrine may influence this percentage heavily, but it cannot be the sole determining factor. Other elements, such as the road’s conditions, each respective driver’s behavior on the road, and whether the driver with a medical emergency took precautions to avoid the crisis, can play a heavy role in assigning fault as well.
How Can You Protect Yourself as a Driver?
If you believe that you could experience a medical emergency while driving, make sure to proactively manage your health to prevent these sorts of accidents. Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor to manage potential risks and address any possible issues. If you feel any telltale symptoms of chest pain, dizziness, or any other possible symptoms of a flare-up, avoid driving until you receive medical clearance.
Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident with the Delaware County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks
If a medical emergency causes your car accident, go to the seasoned Delaware County car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. to advocate for your interests and protect your rights.We have years of experience working on behalf of collision victims, and we will make sure to build your strongest personalized case. Call us at 610-565-3701 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation. Our Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, offices serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.