Woman Seriously Injured After Hitting Utility Pole
Car crashes can be caused by a variety of factors. Sometimes unknown and unexpected issues, such as medical events, can happen while driving, causing accidents.
This is what recently happened to a New Jersey woman. She was hospitalized due to hitting a utility pole after suffering what appeared to be a medical event. The accident happened on the evening of February 21 in Manchester, New Jersey.
A 75-year-old woman from Manchester was driving a Hyundai Elantra west on Pinewald Keswick Road when the car suddenly ran off the road near Pine Ridge Boulevard. The Hyundai hit a utility pole, causing the car to roll over several times. It finally came to a stop in the woods on the north side of the road. Live electrical wires were seen lying on the car.
Jersey Central Power & Light arrived at the accident scene to turn off the power to the wires. The woman was then safely removed from the vehicle. She was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The road was partially closed as crews investigated and cleaned up. It is believed that an unknown medical event led to the crash.
Assisting at the scene were multiple agencies, including the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, JCP&L, and Accurate Towing. The accident remains under investigation.
Medical Events While Driving
Car accidents may be blamed on many issues, such as drunk driving, fatigue, and distracted driving. But what about a medical issue? Ideally, people would faint and have strokes or heart attacks while at home, but sometimes these medical emergencies do happen while behind the wheel.
So what happens in these cases? Many states have laws in place that provide those who lose control and drive off the road with a defense to claims of negligence known as “Act of God” or “sudden medical emergency.”
New Jersey has adopted the Sudden Emergency Doctrine. What this means is that drivers can use this defense in situations where a driver is confronted by an imminent situation over which they had no control. The sudden medical emergency defense can absolve someone from liability because a person who suffers a medical event did not negligently cause the accident. However, it must be an unforeseen medical emergency.
Foreseeability is based on warning signs as well as prior medical history. If it can be established that the driver had experienced previous similar medical episodes in the past or had forewarning of the onset of the condition but continued to drive anyway, negligence can be established.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Car accidents can be very serious, depending on the circumstances involved. Hitting a large object can result in significant damage and injuries.
A Morristown car accidents attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can help you deal with the aftermath of a crash. We can help you file a personal injury claim so you can recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Fill out the online form or call (973) 455-1567 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
patch.com/new-jersey/manchester-nj/manchester-woman-hospitalized-crash-brings-down-pole-wires
