Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog
While many car accidents are the result of reckless driving or disobeying traffic laws, sometimes, drivers are rendered unconscious or unresponsive because of a medical emergency. Medical emergencies can range from choking or fainting to even more severe emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks, or seizures. Car accidents involving medical emergencies can be serious and often fatal, as nearby pedestrians and other cars are not aware of the sudden loss of control by the individual experiencing the medical emergency.
In a recent news report, a Washington D.C. accident occurred when a car hit multiple people inside the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital parking garage on the afternoon of Thursday, July 20. While D.C. Fire and EMS initially reported that five pedestrians were struck in the hospital garage, the hospital later stated that it was treating a sixth patient related to the incident. According to officials, the patients were being treated at the hospital’s emergency room and the driver was also being evaluated. Officials also confirmed that at least one adult woman involved was not conscious or breathing. Fire officials did not offer any additional details on the medical condition or identity of the driver and it is unclear what caused the crash.
How Do You Prove Fault in DC Car Accidents involving Medical Emergencies?
When it comes to Washington D.C. car accident cases, defendants claiming to have experienced a medical emergency that led to a car accident have the option to pursue an Act of God defense. An Act of God defense in Washington D.C. offers a defense when the force of nature is uncontrolled and uninfluenced by humans and could not be prevented or avoided. Such a defense is difficult to successfully deploy and both parties need to examine the at-fault driver’s medical records to determine several issues. (1) Did the driver have pre-existing medical conditions, (2) was the driver taking medication for their condition, and (3) were any medical restrictions in effect at the time of the accident? Establishing if a medical emergency did in fact occur, and if so, to what degree it was foreseeable, and what steps the at-fault driver took to mitigate the risk of medical emergencies is vital to arriving at a proper result for a plaintiff’s claim. Successfully defeating a defense revolving around a medical emergency potentially involves proving that there were symptoms of the medical emergency that the at-fault driver negligently ignored, ultimately causing the accident.
Have You Been a Victim of a Washington D.C. Car Accident?
If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed as a result of another driver’s sudden medical emergency that resulted in a Washington D.C. car accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen to consult with an experienced attorney. The attorneys at our firm are ready to use their knowledge and compassion to help handle complex cases involving car accidents. Expenses and injuries sustained in an accident can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced roster of accident attorneys by your side can make a world of difference in the compensation you receive. Our dedicated team of lawyers helps clients better understand their rights and recover damages for their injuries and losses. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney at 1-800-654-1949.