How would you react if you were driving and your passenger collapsed? What if you lost control due to an unexpected illness? If you or someone around you experiences a health emergency while driving, it can easily cause dangerous knock-on effects, such as collisions and accidents. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the warning signs and know what to do next. That way, you’re prepared and able to prevent things from getting worse.
Spot the warning signs early
Many people tend to overlook the symptoms of illnesses until they get too bad. For instance, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath can all be symptoms of serious illnesses. Leaving them ignored and untreated gives any illness time to worsen and become more serious. Instead, getting them checked as soon as you notice any symptoms can prevent serious accidents and even lead to catching a condition early.
Diabetic drivers, for example, are at risk of collapsing if they have low blood sugar. If they’re behind the wheel when this happens, they could easily endanger themselves or others.
If you start to notice any unusual symptoms, we recommend you contact a GP or medical professional as soon as possible.
What you can do before a journey
Of course, one key way to prevent any issues from taking place is to take proactive steps before going on a journey. If you know that you’ve got a specific medical condition, make sure you’ve got your medication to hand throughout the trip, and ensure any travel companions are aware of your condition.
It’s also vital that you remain responsible when travelling. For example, if you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded while driving, it’s best to pull over immediately. Additionally, if you know that long drives can present an issue, we recommend you only drive short distances and share driving duties with your companions.
How to respond during a roadside emergency
If there is a roadside emergency, the first thing you should do is get off the road safely. Turn on your hazard lights, and drive to the hard shoulder or get out of the way of traffic. By getting out of the way, you shouldn’t obstruct any other vehicles and should be much safer, especially if you’re on the motorway.
Once you and everyone in the vehicle are safe and out of the way, call 999. When discussing events with the ambulance, try to be as clear as possible. That may mean describing the person’s symptoms or illness, which can ensure the ambulance knows what to expect when they arrive. Finally, you should try to follow the emergency services instructions as best as you can.
When emergency care lets you down
Unfortunately, the emergency services aren’t perfect. Delayed ambulances and misdiagnosis do occur, and this can lead to exacerbated outcomes, whether permanent injury or worse. If you or someone close to you has been let down by emergency care services, it might be worth speaking to medical negligence solicitors in Liverpool to find out what your options are.
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