A new study designed to help patients with irregular heartbeats may have a higher risk of being injured in motor vehicle accidents. Patients afflicted with arrhythmia may be given an implanted device called a cardioverter defibrillator.
Researchers identified that the risk of car accidents increased by 50% in patients with that device. Although further research is still being done about the possible connection, the number of ICD implantations in patients has increased tremendously over the past few decades.
Patients with this device implanted are usually restricted from driving after ICD shock or immediate ICD implantation due to the risk of loss of consciousness and arrhythmias. If you have recently been involved in a serious car accident, you may need to consult with an attorney about your rights and your next steps.
Any patient with an existing heart condition could be at risk of suffering severe injuries in a car accident. Even if you are not sure whether or not you have been seriously injured in an accident, it’s better to file a police report and get checked out by a doctor. This could be the first step for recognizing signs of serious injury, such as a traumatic brain injury.
If you have other questions about injuries and California car accidents, reach out to an experienced California personal injury lawyer.