Is the Affected Driver Liable For Causing Car Accident In Case Of Medical Emergency?

A lot of accidents occur when the driver suffers from a medical condition while operating the vehicle. People are often confused if the drivers can be held responsible for the damages caused by accident as well as the resulting injuries. To get the proper legal information for your case, it is vital to consult a Vermont personal injury attorney. They can provide valuable legal help and assistance in the process. 

Common Medical Issues That Result In Car Crashes

Many car collisions occur due to unforeseeable medical conditions and underlying health issues. And unexpected emergencies and pre-existing health issues lead to loss of control by the drivers in operating the cars resulting in crashes. Some commonly observed health emergencies that result in accidents are as follows.

• Lack of consciousness
• Losing control of muscles
• Excruciating pain
• Impairment of the cognitive senses

These health issues are prevalent among patients with seizures, heart problems, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or dementia. However, many unexpected medical issues like choking or sudden strokes and also contributing factors in causing car accidents. 

Known vs. Unknown Medical Problems

If the accident occurred due to an unknown medical issue, the emergency is not enough to state negligence. It means that the loss of control caused by the health issue was completely unforeseeable and out of the driver’s control. It could not have been prevented by any means. If it is established that the accident was preventable, the plaintiffs can receive compensation for the losses. 

However, if the accident occurs when there is an underlying medical condition, the negligence assessment becomes more complex. Many health issues do not impair an individual’s driving skills. However, health conditions like epilepsy can disable people from operating vehicles. If the driver has epilepsy or a similar disease and is still found to be driving, he will be liable for the injury. 

It is also dependent on the fact whether the driver was taking proper care of his medical issue or lacking in management when the accident took place. 

To prove liability, it is essential to state that the driver has been negligent in taking the prescribed medicines given by the medical health providers and ignored the warning and advice given by their physician. 

However, suppose the physician has permitted operating the vehicle even though the driver is not in a condition to drive safely. In that case, the physician will be held liable for the injury caused due to a medical emergency Of the driver.