What Are the Dangers of Driving While Sick?

No matter what time of year, getting sick is just a part of life. When you are sick, you are not yourself. Although each person experiences symptoms differently depending on the illness, they generally are distracting. From the loss of focus to cold shivers, body aches, slowed response times, and awful headaches, symptoms of a simple cold virus are enough to distract you while driving. You can also be distracted by reaching for a tissue to blow your nose. An uncontrollable cough can take your eyes off the road, which is just as bad as any other type of distraction.

Other ways that illnesses can be dangerous to a driver include:

• Medications and prescriptions: Even when trying to recover from your illness, you may still not be able to drive safely. Many cough and flu medications have warning labels prohibiting users from driving while taking a dose. They also have many side effects that can be very dangerous to a driver, such as dizziness, anxiety, hallucinations, fatigue, and other issues.
• Other illnesses: Medical conditions like cataracts or migraines can cause vision problems, epilepsy causes seizures, and numerous other illnesses can be dangerous when driving. Listening to your doctor’s instructions is essential if they diagnose you with an illness that prevents you from driving safely.
• Asymptomatic: Even if you are without apparent symptoms, you should still not drive. A virus in your system can cause brain fog and other cognitive issues, and you need to be able to think correctly when driving.

If you are too sick to drive, there are other ways to get around. A friend or family member may be able to take you where you need to go. Also, many pharmacies offer delivery, and they may be able to get your prescriptions to you.

What Should I Do if I am Injured by a Sick Driver?

Like distracted driving, driving while sick can be considered negligent. This is because sick drivers should be aware that their sickness can impair them, which could lead to an accident.

If you have been involved in an accident and the other driver appears to be sick, you should do the following:

• Call 911: As with any car accident, you should call 911 after checking yourself, your passengers, and the other car to see if everyone is okay. More than likely, an officer will arrive at the scene, and you should discuss any details with them that you believe are relevant, such as the other driver may be sick. Make sure to get a copy of the police report.
• Gather information: Do not forget to gather the other driver’s vehicle and insurance information, and document why you believe they were sick, such as if they appeared drowsy or were coughing uncontrollably.
• Gather evidence: Taking photos or videos of the accident scene and any vehicle damage and injuries is essential. If there are any witnesses, get their information as well.
• Contact a lawyer: A lawyer can help you gather information. They can help conduct a thorough investigation into what caused the accident, as well as the other driver’s medical records, to see if they were, in fact, sick at the time of the accident.

Edwardsville Car Wreck Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm Help Clients Injured by Distracted Drivers

Driving while sick is also distracted driving. If you have been injured in an accident because of another driver’s negligence, speak with our Edwardsville car wreck lawyers at The Cates Law Firm. Call us at 618-277-3644 or complete our online form for a free consultation. Located in Swansea, Illinois, we serve clients in St. Louis, Belleville, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City, Waterloo, Chester, Carbondale, St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, and other regions throughout Southern Illinois.