Car accidents are unfortunately all too common. Many factors can cause a collision. Some of the most common ways crashes occur include poor road conditions, mechanical failure and human error. The third category is the most frequent by far. Driving under the influence, reckless driving, road rage and poor judgment are all causes. In these situations, it can be easy to determine who was at fault for the accident. However, medical conditions can also play a role, and these cases make things more challenging.
How Accidents Happen
Digging deeper, car accidents are often not the case of simple bad luck. Excessive speed, running a red light or stop sign, or following a car too closely can result in a collision, causing vehicular damage and injuries to individuals. Some drivers may even deliberately try to injure someone while behind the wheel. Other people may become distracted by talking on the phone or texting, or by something else in their car such as the radio or kids in the backseat. Drugs and alcohol can also play a role.
Medical Conditions and Car Accidents
It is not uncommon for a driver’s current health to play a part in a car collision. Issues such as poor eyesight, impaired hearing, diabetes, epilepsy, migraines or heart disease could contribute to mistakes in the driver’s seat. With some of these conditions, the driver may be aware of them, but others may be unknown.
Who’s at Fault?
Insurance companies and attorneys want to know what has responsible for causing the accident. The answers to these questions will help determine settlement amounts for injuries and car repairs. With many driver error issues, figuring out who caused the crash is not difficult. However, attorneys may have to work much harder when medical conditions are involved. If a driver knew about his or her medical condition, and that issue was a factor or the chief reason for the accident, that person may be held liable. People with certain health problems might have restrictions for driving, including not being able to drive at night. If the person ignored these restrictions and drove anyway, causing an accident, the fault could be theirs. If the person did not know about the medical problem, he or she may not be held responsible. An experienced car accident lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, like from Hickey & Turim, SC, will help determine these issues.
If you have a serious medical concern, talk to your doctor about whether you should drive. Make sure you follow safety guidelines and regulations if you do have restrictions.