Can a sudden medical emergency excuse a driver’s negligence?

A driver can lose control of a vehicle for reasons they never expected, including a sudden medical emergency. When that happens, it may not be clear whether the driver should be held responsible for the resulting crash.

When can a medical emergency excuse a driver?

A sudden medical emergency may excuse a driver when it happens without warning and leaves them unable to control the vehicle. For example, a driver could suddenly lose consciousness at a stoplight, wake up in the middle of the intersection and have no chance to prevent the resulting crash.

That situation differs from a driver who experiences a medical problem they could reasonably expect to affect their driving. The question is whether the driver had any reason to anticipate what happened before getting behind the wheel.

What if the driver knew about the medical condition?

What the driver knew about their condition can matter, especially if they had experienced warning signs or similar problems before the crash. For example, someone who has previously passed out while driving may face different questions if they get behind the wheel knowing it could happen again.

The same can apply when a driver ignores symptoms before driving, such as feeling faint or experiencing another known warning sign. Those details can help show whether the driver had reason to expect trouble.

Look at what happened before the crash

A medical emergency does not automatically explain away a crash. What the driver knew, experienced and did before getting behind the wheel can help show whether the emergency truly came without warning. If you were injured in a crash involving a driver who suffered a medical emergency, an attorney can help you look at those circumstances and determine whether you may have a claim.