Texas Accident & Injury News
Sudden medical episodes cause thousands of car accident deaths per year.
Major Head-on Collision on the West Side Likely Caused by Medical Episode
According to a report from News4SanAntonio, a woman likely suffered a medical episode before a major crash last Saturday afternoon.¹
Police say the accident happened at around 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9th, at the intersection of West Commerce Street and South General McMullen Drive on San Antonio’s West Side.
Authorities reported that a woman driving a Honda Accord northbound on South General McMullen approached West Commerce and turned into the southbound lanes, crashing head-on into an approaching Mazda.
The woman was critically injured and transported to a local hospital. According to police, she appeared to have suffered some kind of medical episode before the crash.
The driver of the Mazda remained at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
Did You Know?
Drivers experiencing some type of illness or medical condition contributed to 3,333 crashes across Texas in 2024, according to TxDOT data.²
What Are the Most Common Types of Medical Episodes Experienced by Drivers?
Most people associate serious crashes with speeding, distracted driving, or intoxication. But some accidents begin with a medical emergency behind the wheel.
When a driver suddenly loses consciousness, becomes disoriented, or loses control of their body, the results can be catastrophic—especially at busy intersections or in oncoming traffic.
These crashes are also legally complex because investigators must determine whether the emergency was truly sudden and unavoidable.
What Is Considered a Medical Episode While Driving?
A medical episode is a sudden health event that interferes with a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.
Depending on the situation, a driver may:
- Drift into another lane
- Miss traffic signals
- Accelerate or brake unexpectedly
- Become confused or unresponsive
- Lose consciousness entirely
In many cases, the driver may not even realize what is happening until after the crash occurs.
Common Medical Emergencies Behind the Wheel
Several medical conditions are commonly linked to serious traffic accidents.
These include:
- Heart attacks and cardiac events
- Seizures or seizure disorders
- Strokes
- Diabetic emergencies involving blood sugar
- Fainting or sudden loss of consciousness
Certain prescription medications can also affect a driver’s ability to react safely, especially medications that cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, or delayed reaction time.
When Is a Medical Episode a Valid Legal Defense?
One of the biggest legal questions after these crashes is whether the medical emergency was truly unforeseeable.
Texas law generally recognizes that drivers are not automatically negligent if they suddenly lose control because of an unexpected medical event. But that defense becomes much weaker if there were warning signs beforehand.
For example, imagine a driver with no history of heart problems who suddenly suffers a heart attack behind the wheel and loses consciousness. If there were no prior symptoms or medical warnings, investigators may determine the crash was unavoidable.
But the analysis changes when a driver already knew they had a serious condition.
For instance, if someone has a known seizure disorder, was recently warned not to drive, and chooses to drive anyway before suffering a seizure behind the wheel, investigators will likely determine the crash was foreseeable and preventable.
The same can apply to medication use. If a driver ignores warnings that a medication may impair driving ability, that decision can become an important factor in determining liability.
Why These Cases Require Careful Investigation
Medical-episode crashes are rarely straightforward.
Investigators may review:
- Medical history
- Prescription medications
- Doctor recommendations or restrictions
- Witness statements
- Crash scene evidence
The key issue is often whether the driver reasonably should have known they were unsafe to drive before the accident happened.
That distinction can significantly affect both insurance claims and legal liability.
What Drivers Should Do if They Have a Medical Condition
Drivers with medical conditions can often continue driving safely, but they should take symptoms and medical advice seriously.
Important safety precautions include:
- Following doctor recommendations about driving
- Taking medications exactly as prescribed
- Avoiding driving when feeling dizzy, weak, or disoriented
- Pulling over immediately if symptoms begin
Recognizing warning signs early can prevent devastating accidents.
Injured in an Accident Caused by a Medical Episode? Call Shaw.
If you were injured in a crash involving a driver experiencing a medical emergency, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills and hospital care
- Pain, suffering, and long-term injuries
- Lost wages during recovery
- And more
At Carabin Shaw, we’ll help you find out for free.
Medical emergency crashes are often more complicated than standard car accidents. Insurance companies may argue the collision was unavoidable, even when warning signs existed beforehand.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to talk to an experienced car accident attorney about your legal options. There are no fees, no obligations, and no pressure—just expert legal guidance when you need it most.
We look forward to serving you.