Last Thursday at about 2:45 a.m. two Orange County Sheriff's Deputies rescued a 49-year-old man from his burning vehicle in Yorba Linda. According to NBC News, the O.C. Deputies, Shane Steiefel, and his partner, Gilbert Lascurain, came across a taxi cab (minivan) that had crashed into a pole and was on fire. The driver was incoherent, and his foot was apparently still on the accelerator when the Deputies approached. Not sure what they were dealing with, Steifel and Lascurain ordered the driver out of the vehicle at gunpoint. Once it was apparent the driver was not responding and the fire was about to envelope the passenger compartment, the deputies pulled the victim from the burning vehicle, which exploded into flames within about 20 seconds. Paramedics at the scene indicated the victim could have suffered from diabetic shock. The entire incident was caught on dashboard video.
Medical Emergencies and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Automobile accidents caused by a driver's medical emergency are relatively rare. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, such accidents only account for about 1.3% of all motor vehicle crashes. Not surprisingly, medical emergency related accidents are most common among the elderly population. Most of these accidents involve a driver who is alone, and they most commonly occur after the vehicle has left the roadway. More often than with other types of crashes, medical emergency related crashes tend to be more often fatal. The most common medical conditions are seizure, black out and diabetic reaction. Most drives involved in these accidents, roughly 74%, were aware of the underlying medical condition that caused the emergency. This is why it is so important for drivers with a re-existing medical condition to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and other motorists. They should always ensure their medication levels are what they should be before driving for a long period of time. There should always be a detailed discussion with your doctor about what steps should be taken if you have a condition that might lead to a medical emergency behind the wheel.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by another driver's medical emergency, contacting an Orange County personal injury attorney may be the best and most important step toward obtaining compensation for any injuries or damages sustained.
SOURCE: Orange County Deputy Pulls Man From Burning Car in Yorba Linda, NBC News, Southern California, July 22, 2013, by Ron Rokhy and Vikki Vargas
Medical Emergencies and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Automobile accidents caused by a driver's medical emergency are relatively rare. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, such accidents only account for about 1.3% of all motor vehicle crashes. Not surprisingly, medical emergency related accidents are most common among the elderly population. Most of these accidents involve a driver who is alone, and they most commonly occur after the vehicle has left the roadway. More often than with other types of crashes, medical emergency related crashes tend to be more often fatal. The most common medical conditions are seizure, black out and diabetic reaction. Most drives involved in these accidents, roughly 74%, were aware of the underlying medical condition that caused the emergency. This is why it is so important for drivers with a re-existing medical condition to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and other motorists. They should always ensure their medication levels are what they should be before driving for a long period of time. There should always be a detailed discussion with your doctor about what steps should be taken if you have a condition that might lead to a medical emergency behind the wheel.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by another driver's medical emergency, contacting an Orange County personal injury attorney may be the best and most important step toward obtaining compensation for any injuries or damages sustained.
SOURCE: Orange County Deputy Pulls Man From Burning Car in Yorba Linda, NBC News, Southern California, July 22, 2013, by Ron Rokhy and Vikki Vargas
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