Someone with a serious health condition can cause a wide range of dangers when driving a vehicle. A sudden attack or loss of consciousness can send a driver into oncoming traffic or careening into the vehicles ahead—and damage may be significant if they are unable to hit the brakes. If you have been hurt in this type of accident, you may be able to collect damages without causing further hardship for the at-fault driver.
When a Medical Emergency Causes a Crash
It’s possible to be sympathetic to an at-fault driver with a medical condition and recover payment for your medical costs. Since the payment you receive in a car accident claim is paid by an insurance company, you aren’t taking any money out of the at-fault driver’s pocket, allowing both of you to get the care you need without an additional burden.
A variety of chronic health conditions and acute attacks could lead to a crash, including:
Seizures.
A seizure can cause the driver’s body to convulse, constrict, or collapse without warning.
Heart attack.
Cardiac events are some of the deadliest medical events, as they are difficult to predict and require immediate intervention.
Stroke.
A stroke typically causes temporary or permanent paralysis on one side of the body, making it impossible for a driver to turn the wheel or press the pedals.
Diabetes.
A period of extremely low blood sugar can be deadly for a diabetic, but it’s also a hazard for passengers and other vehicles if the driver does not monitor the condition carefully.
Fatigue.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, or medication side effects could cause drowsy driving without the driver ever realizing they are impaired.
Loss of consciousness.
Fainting, brain injuries, and narcolepsy can all cause a driver to fall asleep or “black out” behind the wheel.
Medical complications.
A wide range of ailments may cause sudden and debilitating pain, while prescription medications to treat them could cause confusion or affect judgment.
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