What If Your Crash Was Caused by a Medical Emergency?
Not every car crash in Tempe is caused by a reckless driver or someone staring at their phone. In some cases, the at-fault driver may have suffered a sudden medical emergency—like a seizure, stroke, or heart attack—behind the wheel. These cases raise complicated legal questions: Can you still pursue compensation? Is the driver still considered negligent? What if they had no warning?
At Tempe Car Accident Attorney, we’ve seen how medical-emergency crashes turn ordinary claims into complex legal puzzles. While Arizona law does recognize the “sudden medical emergency” defense, that doesn’t mean victims are left without options.
Here’s what Tempe drivers need to know when a crash stems from a health crisis instead of distracted or aggressive driving.
The “Sudden Emergency” Defense in Arizona
Under Arizona law, a driver who experiences a sudden, unforeseeable medical event that renders them unconscious or incapable of control may not be held liable in the same way as a negligent driver. This is known as the “sudden emergency doctrine.”
In these cases, the defendant typically argues:
They suffered a sudden and unforeseen medical crisis
The crisis prevented them from maintaining control of the vehicle
They had no prior reason to expect such an event
If successful, this defense could shield the driver (and their insurer) from liability. But it doesn’t apply automatically—and that’s where the facts matter.
When the Defense Works—and When It Doesn’t
The sudden emergency defense only works if the medical event was truly unexpected. If the driver had a known health condition and chose to drive anyway, they may still be found negligent.
For example, a person with a history of fainting spells who crashes near South Tempe might still be held liable if they ignored medical advice to avoid driving.
A successful sudden emergency defense must show:
No prior symptoms or warning signs
No history of the condition (or the condition was well-controlled)
The emergency directly caused the crash
If the driver ignored medication, skipped treatments, or concealed their condition from the DMV, that can undermine the defense.
Can You Still File an Injury Claim?
Yes—and you should. Even if a crash in Downtown Tempe or Meyer Park was caused by a sudden medical issue, you can still file a personal injury claim and seek damages.
Ultimately, the insurance company will investigate whether the medical emergency was truly unavoidable. If not, the claim may proceed like any other.
Even if the driver passes away from the event (e.g., a fatal heart attack during the crash), their estate or insurer may still be responsible for the damage their vehicle caused. You shouldn’t be left covering medical bills, lost income, or long-term care because someone behind the wheel wasn’t fit to drive.
What If You Were the Passenger?
If you were a passenger in a vehicle where the driver had a medical event, you may still have a valid claim—especially if they had a history of blackouts, seizures, or other dangerous conditions.
This is common in rideshare crashes, where drivers are required to maintain medical fitness to operate. Uber and Lyft also carry additional liability coverage that may apply if a passenger is injured, even in an unpredictable medical incident.
Proving Negligence Despite a Medical Emergency
To challenge a sudden emergency defense, your attorney will examine:
The driver’s medical records — did they have a known condition?
Driving history — were there prior crashes or warning signs?
Medication compliance — were they following treatment orders?
License restrictions — were they medically cleared to drive?
Witness statements — did the driver appear ill or impaired beforehand?
In some paralysis cases or spinal cord injury claims, the financial stakes are high—and so is the insurer’s motivation to deny fault. Having evidence that the crash was preventable can make all the difference.
Does the Type of Crash Matter?
Medical-emergency crashes can cause just as much devastation as any other wreck. We’ve seen these incidents result in:
T-bone collisions at intersections when the driver loses consciousness
Rollover accidents when the vehicle veers off-road
Pedestrian crashes in parking lots due to disorientation
Rear-end crashes caused by seizure or fainting spells
In all these scenarios, victims have a right to pursue fair compensation for their losses.
Who Pays If the Driver Had No Insurance?
If the at-fault driver dies in the crash or lacks insurance, you may still have options under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
We’ve helped clients throughout Escalante and Holdeman file successful claims through their policies—even when the other driver claimed a medical excuse. These cases can also trigger medical payments (MedPay) or collision coverage, depending on your policy.
You may also qualify for compensation through the Arizona Crime Victim Compensation Fund, if the crash involved criminal conduct, such as driving with a suspended license or failing to disclose medical conditions to the DMV.
Can a Crash Victim Be Blamed?
It’s not uncommon for insurers to argue shared fault—even in medical-emergency cases. For instance, if you were speeding or failed to yield when a driver with a medical episode lost control, the insurer might try to assign partial liability.
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover damages—just reduced by your percentage of fault.
An experienced attorney can push back against these tactics and focus attention where it belongs: on the person who lost control of their vehicle.
Final Thoughts: Medical Excuses Don’t Automatically Erase Liability
While Arizona does recognize the sudden medical emergency defense, it’s not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Drivers with known health risks have a responsibility to monitor their condition and avoid driving when unsafe. When they fail in that duty and someone gets hurt, they—or their insurance—should be held accountable.
If you were injured in a Tempe crash and the other driver blames a “medical emergency,” don’t walk away from your claim without legal guidance. Visit our legal resources or contact us today to learn your rights and options.
