Driver Dies in Solana Beach Crash
A driver was killed when he apparently lost consciousness due to a medical emergency and crashed into another vehicle and a stop light post in Solana Beach, according to recent reports.
The unidentified 59-year-old man was driving east on Lomas Santa Fe Drive near South Cedros Avenue when he veered right and struck another car. The impact drove the vehicle onto the sidewalk, where the driver struck a lamp post on South Rios Drive. The post fell to the ground, striking a third vehicle.
The driver of the first car was said by witnesses to have been slumped over the wheel. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police believe that he was unconscious prior to the impact, indicating that he may have suffered some type of seizure, stroke or heart attack. An investigation into the matter continues. No one else was injured in the crash.
Medically-Induced Crashes: Who Is At Fault?
When someone is injured in a medically-induced crash such as those caused by a heart attack or other illness, there can be several types of liability involved. The driver may be liable if the illness was caused by his or her own negligence, such as failure to take medication or deliberately taking too much medication. However, the driver may be blameless; for example, if he or she suffers a sudden heart attack, it is hardly that person’s fault. If the driver is not at fault for the accident, who is?
There can be a number of answers to that question. If the driver is incapacitated because a healthcare professional prescribed the wrong medication or failed to treat an imminent health threat, the healthcare professional or hospital may be to blame. Of course, another driver may be at fault for the accident, or the vehicle itself could be designed or built improperly.
In some cases, it is necessary to hire an accident reconstruction expert to understand how the crash occurred. This is usually done when the evidence about the accident is unclear or conflicting, and may help to determine liability in the crash.
No matter who is at fault for the accident, the victims may have the right to recover compensation for their injuries. Dan Gilleon, a personal injury attorney in San Diego, has spent many years representing the victims of car accidents. Contact him today for more information.
