Chicago Car Accident Caused by Medical Condition

Compensation for Victims of Medical Condition Accidents in Chicago

Car accidents caused by medical conditions are more common than many people think, and they raise difficult legal questions. 

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we specialize in car accident cases involving medical emergencies behind the wheel. We help clients in Chicago determine liability, understand their legal rights, and seek the compensation they deserve.

Liability When a Medical Emergency Occurs Behind the Wheel

Illinois law recognizes that some medical events are truly sudden and unforeseeable, while others result from poor health management or ignored medical warnings. 

In determining fault, the question becomes: Did the driver know, or should they have known, that they were medically unfit to drive?

Common Examples of Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Leading to Car Crashes

Some chronic health conditions that cause a medical emergency can impair a person’s ability to drive safely, either gradually or without warning. Common examples of illnesses include:

• Cardiovascular disease/heart problems (e.g., heart attack, arrhythmia)
• Seizures (epilepsy or related disorders)
• Diabetic emergencies (especially low blood sugar levels in diabetic drivers)
• Stroke
• Syncope (fainting spells) or sudden vision loss
• Severe vertigo
• Certain mental illnesses (e.g., severe anxiety or psychosis)
• Age (Older drivers are more likely to be involved in certain types of collisions)

If the driver suffers from one of these illnesses, they should take necessary precautions before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Can a Driver Avoid Liability?

To determine liability, Illinois courts recognize a legal doctrine known as the “sudden medical emergency” defense. To succeed under this defense, the driver must show:

1. They experienced a sudden medical emergency.
2. They lost consciousness or control.
3. They had no prior warning or knowledge of the pre-existing illness or medical condition.
4. The medical event was the direct cause of the crash.

If these criteria are met, the driver might not be legally responsible for a car accident caused by a medical condition. 

Negligence vs. Unforeseeable Event

Not every health-related crash falls under the sudden emergency defense. If the driver loses control but has previously experienced symptoms of the illness, fails to follow a treatment plan (like taking necessary precautions to maintain blood sugar levels as a diabetic), or has been warned not to drive, that may constitute negligence.

In contrast, if a driver experiences a sudden loss of control with no prior health issues, as a result of a heart attack, they may have a legitimate claim to an unforeseen emergency. However, proving this distinction often requires reviewing detailed records of the illness and medical testimony.

Known Pre-Existing Conditions and Driver Responsibility

Drivers with known medical diagnoses carry additional legal responsibilities. When pre-existing medical conditions like epilepsy, heart disease, or diabetes are improperly managed, the driver may be at fault if they lose control and cause a crash.

Illinois law expects drivers to:

• Follow the physician’s driving restrictions
• Regularly monitor their overall health
• Do not drive when unwell
• Avoid operating a vehicle while under the influence of medication that impairs your ability.

If a driver disregards these responsibilities, they may be found negligent, even in single-vehicle crashes or if the chronic medical condition was seemingly under control.

Investigating Accidents Caused by Medical Episodes

Establishing whether the event was preventable involves eyewitness accounts and a close examination of the driver’s medical history.

Our firm and insurance companies will gather evidence such as:

• The driver’s prior diagnoses and medication records
• Physician statements or restrictions on driving
• Observations from other drivers and witnesses
• The police report, which may document signs of impairment or emergency
• Test results or toxicology screens, if available

This evidence helps our attorneys assess whether an unexpected medical emergency truly caused the crash or whether the driver was negligent in ignoring health risks.

The Role of Medical Records and Expert Testimony

In many cases, medical notes and expert testimony are central to establishing liability following an accident caused by a medical condition. 

Medical experts may also evaluate the nature of the episode itself—was it a sudden heart attack with no warning, or a blood sugar crash that could have been avoided? These distinctions are key to determining whether the driver’s health condition exempts them from liability.

Insurance Claims in Car Accident Cases Involving Medical Issues

Filing an insurance claim after an accident caused by a medical condition can be difficult. 

The at-fault driver’s insurer may try to deny the claim based on the sudden emergency defense, arguing that their policyholder wasn’t legally liable due to an unforeseeable health event.

In these situations, the injured victim may need to file a claim under their own insurance, typically through Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. That’s why it’s critical to understand the policy details early on and to work with a legal team that knows how to navigate disputed fault cases.

Your Legal Options After a Car Crash Caused by a Medical Condition

If you’ve been involved in a vehicle accident caused by another driver’s medical episode, you still have options. Depending on the findings, you may be able to:

• File a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer
• Challenge the use of the sudden emergency defense
• Recover compensation through your UM/UIM policy if liability is denied

Our attorneys evaluate every avenue to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome.

Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries and Losses

If the driver is found negligent, you may be entitled to full compensation. This includes coverage for medical treatment, lost income or reduced future earning ability, vehicle loss, and your pain and suffering. Compensation should calculate the full impact of the auto accident, both now and in the future.

Why You Need an Experienced Car Accident Attorney for These Cases

Accidents caused by medical conditions are not standard claims. They involve a complex mix of key factors, like health history, legal interpretation, and insurance challenges. 

An experienced personal injury attorney understands how to evaluate medical documentation, challenge the sudden emergency defense, and assert your legal rights to hold the driver or their insurer accountable when justified.

Our firm has handled numerous cases in which drivers involved had pre-existing conditions, and we know what it takes to prove negligence or uncover preventable oversights that led to a crash.

How Our Law Firm Handles Accidents Caused By Medical Conditions

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we take a strategic approach to investigating these unique cases. We review all relevant medical records, consult expert physicians, and work with accident reconstruction professionals when needed. 

Our goal is to determine whether the crash caused by a health condition was truly unpreventable or the result of avoidable risk. With our experience in both personal injury law and disputes with insurance companies, we fight for every dollar.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation Regarding Your Accident

If you were injured in a vehicle accident caused by a medical condition, speak to our legal team. Our Chicago car accident attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you never pay out of pocket unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Call us today at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.