Four students were injured, one critically, after a car struck them near a USC campus gate.
According to a City News Report, the pedestrian accident occurred around noon at Jefferson Boulevard and McClintock Avenue.
The sedan ended up on the sidewalk after crashing into a pole. One of the injured pedestrians, a 24-year-old woman, was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
The three other victims were treated at the scene and released.
Officials said the 23-year-old woman who was driving the sedan had a medical emergency and was transported to a hospital.
The nature of the medical emergency and the driver’s condition are not known at this time. It is not clear if the driver of the sedan was a USC student as well.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Medical Emergencies and Crashes
The term “impaired driving” is usually used to describe someone who was driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Some studies say that that nearly 20 percent of accidents are caused by drivers with preexisting medical conditions. There are several health conditions that can affect a person’s ability to drive including diabetes, heart disease, seizures and poor eyesight.
There are also those who suffer sudden blackouts while driving and crash the vehicles. While it does not mean you cannot drive if you have diabetes, it may mean that limitations or restrictions are placed on their license.
These limitations are typically based on the severity of their condition and the symptoms they are experiencing.
For example, if a person is having trouble seeing at night, he or she may not be allowed to drive after dark. These limitations usually come at the recommendation of a doctor or physician.
Liability Issues
It could become challenging or complicated to determine fault and liability in an auto accident case involving a driver with a medical condition.
In such cases, it is important to look into whether the driver had a preexisting health condition, to what degree the medical condition contributed to the crash, if the driver was aware of his or her limitations, and the injuries and damages caused.
If the driver was operating a vehicle, for example, knowing fully well that he or she could go into diabetic shock or suffer a seizure, then, he or she can be held liable for the damages.
Injured victims in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
