How are Diabetes and Car Accidents Related?

 Posted on October 11, 2017 in Car Accidents

There are nearly 20 million Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes, with a large percentage of them holding a license to operate a car. Depending on the severity of the person’s diabetes, they may be able to drive a car to work, classes, and social gatherings. In many communities, there are no other means of transportation, and the use of a car is the only option people have. Even though many people afflicted with diabetes can drive, there has been much debate on whether diabetes may be a big factor in determining if some people may or may not be fit for a driver’s license and whether diabetes is a factor in car accidents.

What is Diabetes and How Serious is it?

Diabetes is a medical condition that affects the pancreas. In people without diabetes, the pancreas releases a healthy amount of insulin to help store and use sugar and fat from food. In people with diabetes, however, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, or the body may not respond appropriately to insulin. In severe cases, people with diabetes may be up and walking one minute, and passed out on the ground the minute following. Although there are many ways to manage diabetes, there is no actual cure for the disease. On a day-to-day basis, people with diabetes can manage their blood sugar by avoiding sugary foods, taking medications to offset a high blood sugar level, and exercising.

Requirements for a Driver’s License for a Person with Diabetes

Since there are many different types of diabetes and levels of severity of the condition, there are several ways to determine the person’s ability to safely drive a car. To apply for a driver’s license, a person with diabetes must file a medical report form that is to be completed by a medical doctor. Every time they renew their driver’s license, a medical report form must be resubmitted to the Medical Review Unit. 

Diabetes and Car Accidents

Many people with diabetes experience debilitating effects of the disease, such as a sudden drop in sugar levels which can cause a blackout. In the long run, diabetes can have a negative effect on the sufferer’s nervous system, frequently causing them to develop slower reaction times. Because of these risks, people with diabetes are at 19 percent greater risk of causing a car accident than those who do not have diabetes.

Contact a Plainfield, IL Personal Injury Attorney

A car accident is never a pleasant experience, but an accident involving a person with diabetes can make the situation worse. Managing diabetes and being able to operate a car may not always be healthily balanced. Many people with diabetes can manage their condition in their daily lives and drive regularly, while others may have diabetes so severe that they are not able to drive. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident involving a driver who has diabetes, Flaherty Law, LLC is always by your side. Call an experienced Will County personal injury attorney at 815-577-7500 for a free consultation. 

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/diabetes-general-symptoms-causes

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/medical_vision.html

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/35/Supplement_1/S81

http://drivingassessment.uiowa.edu/DA2007/PDF/058_TreagerRizzo.pdf