Setareh Law
July 3, 2026
Not all car accidents are caused by reckless behavior or distracted driving. In some cases, a driver loses control of their vehicle because of a sudden medical event, such as a heart attack, stroke, seizure, or diabetic emergency. When that happens, the question of who is legally responsible becomes far more complicated. Victims left injured in these crashes often feel uncertain about their rights and wonder whether they can still pursue compensation when the other driver had no intention of causing harm.
At Setareh Law, we understand how disorienting these situations can be. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or another motorist, being hurt in a crash involving a driver who experienced a medical emergency does not mean your claim is automatically dismissed. Our team has over 60 years of combined experience helping injured Californians navigate the most complex liability questions, and we are committed to pursuing the full and just compensation you deserve.
Understanding the Sudden Emergency Doctrine
California law recognizes a legal principle known as the Doctrine of Imminent Peril, often referred to as the Sudden Emergency Doctrine. Under this rule, a driver who experiences a sudden, unforeseeable medical event may not be held to the same standard of care as a driver who was simply careless. The keyword here is “unforeseeable.” For this defense to apply, the driver must demonstrate that the medical emergency was completely unexpected and that they had no prior knowledge or warning that such an event could occur.
For example, if a driver suffers their very first seizure while behind the wheel, they may be able to raise this defense successfully. On the other hand, if that same driver had a documented history of seizures, was advised by their doctor not to drive, and chose to get behind the wheel anyway, the sudden emergency defense would likely not protect them from liability. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, incapacitation, including medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, and seizures, played a role in 34% of lane-drift crashes studied, showing just how often these events lead to serious collisions.
When a Driver Can Still Be Found Liable
Determining fault in a California car accident is never a simple task, and these cases are no different. Even when a driver claims a sudden medical emergency, several factors can still establish liability:
- Known medical conditions: If a driver had been diagnosed with a condition that posed a known risk behind the wheel, such as epilepsy, severe heart disease, or uncontrolled diabetes, and continued to drive against medical advice, the choice to drive may itself constitute negligence.
- Ignored warning signs: If the driver experienced symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, or blurred vision before the crash and chose not to pull over, their failure to act responsibly could expose them to liability.
- Prior episodes: Drivers who have previously experienced similar medical emergencies while driving and failed to take reasonable precautions are far less likely to succeed with this defense.
California’s comparative fault rules allow victims to recover compensation even when multiple factors contributed to a crash, and understanding how these rules apply is critical to building a strong personal injury claim.
What This Means for Injured Victims
If you were hurt in a crash involving a driver who claims a medical emergency, you still have legal options. Insurance coverage, the driver’s prior medical history, and a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash can all play a role in your case. In situations where another party, such as an employer or vehicle owner, had some role in allowing an unsafe driver on the road, additional liability may also exist.
Crashes involving medical emergencies can result in serious brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and, in the worst cases, wrongful death. Victims deserve a thorough investigation and aggressive representation, regardless of how the other driver characterizes what happened.
Contact Setareh Law Today
When you are hurt in a crash that was caused by someone having a medical emergency, the circumstances may feel beyond anyone’s control, but that does not mean you are without recourse. At Setareh Law, we have recovered over $250 million for injured Californians, earned more than 400 five-star reviews on Google, and maintain eight office locations with home visits available, so you never have to navigate this process alone. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving a driver who claimed a sudden medical emergency, reach out to our team today through our contact form for a free consultation. We speak Spanish and are available around the clock and ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
