Driver Medical Emergencies Can Result In Serious Crashes
Medical Emergencies
There is a growing concern about risks associated with driving for people with known medical conditions. However, the association between having a chronic medical condition and being involved in a motor vehicle crash remains controversial. We regularly talk about drivers who become distracted, drowsy or are driving under the influence of drugs. The problem of distracted drivers is becoming even more critical with the proliferation of electronic devices used for communication, entertainment and navigation. Another problem driver that we have not spent much time on is the driver who suffers a medical emergency.
According to a new review of statistical records by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which determined that incidences of drivers who had crashes precipitated by their medical emergencies while driving are relatively rare and account for only 1.3 percent of all drivers that have been included in NMVCCS. Older drivers have relatively higher incidences of crashes precipitated by drivers’ medical emergencies when compared to young and middle-age drivers.
Eighty-four percent of the drivers in crashes precipitated by medical emergencies experienced seizures, blackouts or diabetic reactions prior to the crashes. Drivers or surrogate responses to questions about general health, use of medications and feelings on the day of the crash suggest that most of the drivers were aware of the medical conditions associated with the crash.
Drivers in crashes precipitated by medical emergencies were more likely than other drivers to be more severely injured or to die as a result of the crash. An estimate of 62 percent of the drivers in crashes precipitated by medical emergencies were involved in single-vehicle crashes compared to an estimate of only 17 percent of the other drivers.
In an estimate of 85 percent of the drivers in crashes precipitated by medical emergencies, the driver was the only occupant in the vehicle compared to an estimate of 69 percent of the other drivers. An estimated 69 percent of the drivers in crashes precipitated by medical emergencies departed the roadway before the collision compared to only 17 percent of the other drivers. Drivers in crashes that have been precipitated by medical emergencies were more likely to be involved in crashes during the morning hours between 6 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. when compared to other drivers.
Patient education by health care providers on early warning signs of a health crisis, such as warning signs before seizure attacks, diabetic or hypoglycemic comas and potential side effects of medications are recommended as the most effective countermeasure.
This is a very interesting topic and when we consider the tactics we can employ to prevent them, we find that the answer lies in the relationship between the driver and his/her medical provider. Since the majority of these crashes involve older drivers the State might consider using public service announcements and link to organizations that cater to older Tennesseans.
If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Nashville automobile accident involving an elderly driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.
Phillip Miller is a Tennessee Accident Attorney specializing in
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