The Dangers Of Seizures While Driving
Medical emergencies are a significant cause of car accidents in Colorado every year. Most of these incidents are unavoidable, and some of the most common involve the driver of a vehicle having a seizure.
If you have any type of medical condition that makes you prone to seizures, it’s important to understand the legal responsibilities you may have if you’re ever in a collision and face a personal injury claim as a result. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is A Seizure?
Seizures occur when there’s a surge of electrical activity in the brain that impacts its normal function. Some seizures cause uncontrollable body movements, such as convulsions or immobility, while others are barely noticeable to others.
Seizures occur for a variety of reasons, including medical conditions like diabetes, brain tumors, strokes, inflammation, and infections. The most common cause, however, is epilepsy.
A seizure is terrifying for a driver because it can strike without warning, immediately causing a complete loss of control. Depending on the outcome, a person might experience a momentary loss of consciousness, feel disoriented, lose vision for a brief period, or be unable to move their hands and feet as needed.
When that happens behind the wheel, even a few seconds can be enough to drift into another lane, miss a stoplight, or leave the roadway—putting the driver, passengers, and everyone nearby at risk.
Can You Operate A Vehicle If You Have A History Of Seizures?
In Colorado, a driver may be able to operate a vehicle even if they have a history of seizures. Unlike other states, they don’t have to demonstrate that they’ve gone a specific period of time without having one of these events, but they will likely need an official letter from their doctor stating that they can drive safely.
The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can request further medical reports. When anyone applies for a license, they must disclose all medical conditions they have. If they don’t and end up in a collision due to that condition, their license could be invalidated, and they could face civil liability.
Does Colorado Suspend Your Driver’s License If You Have A Seizure While Driving?
The state won’t automatically suspend a driver’s license if they have a seizure while operating a vehicle. However, being involved in two or more accidents within a three-year period, or a single accident resulting in wrongful death, in Colorado can trigger a review by the DMV.
This reexamination could result in a driver being unable to hold a license, depending on their underlying health issues and the measures they’re taking to address them.
Liability For Car Accidents Caused By Seizures
Liability for a car accident where one party had a seizure can be complicated.
One of the main things legal professionals look at is whether the party who had the seizure knew they had a condition that could cause seizures. If they don’t have an underlying medical condition, meaning the seizure was entirely unexpected and impossible to predict, the other driver may not have grounds to take legal action against them.
These are very nuanced cases that require trustworthy legal assistance. If you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries in an accident involving a sudden seizure, you may need qualified legal representation to successfully recover your losses.
Contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a Denver Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident involving a seizure, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. These cases are complex, and having experienced guidance can make a critical difference in protecting your rights and pursuing compensation.
Contact Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a Denver car accident lawyer and learn how we can help you move forward.
We are located in Denver, CO, proudly serving all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
