Risks To Your Unborn Baby And Your Legal Rights

If you were involved in a car accident while pregnant, you should always seek medical help right away. Even minor fender-benders can put your unborn child at risk.  Don’t take the risk of an undetected injury causing harm to you or your child.  By seeking medical assistantce right away you can catch anything early and also provided important evidence if you need to file a car accident lawsuit for medical expenses, pain and suffering, or even wrongful death.  Insurance companies could claim that the injuries are unrelated to the accident and you need to provide evidence to refute that position.

Car Crash Risks During The First And Second Trimesters Of Pregnancy

While driving during pregnancy is generally considered safe, a 2014 study suggested that expectant mothers are more likely to get involved in serious car crash incidents, especially during their second trimester, than those who are not pregnant.

Injuries unique to expectant mothers during motor vehicle collisions include placental abruption, uterine rupture, and direct fetal injury. High-speed collisions can also result in maternal and fetal death.

Statistics Related To Car Accidents Involving a Pregnant Woman

What Are Some Warning Signs To Watch Out For After a Car Accident While Pregnant

If you are pregnant and have been in an auto accident, here are some warning signs that you should not ignore:

A pregnant woman should seek prompt medical assistance after getting involved in a vehicular accident. Even the smallest sign of trauma or injury should be reported since it is not just the mother who could be at risk but also the baby inside her. Cases like internal bleeding or placental abruption can be prevented if the expectant mom seeks prompt medical attention.

Car Accident Symptoms For Expectant Mothers Following a Motor Vehicle Accident

The first trimester of pregnancy is relatively safe for driving and traveling. The risk of injury to the mother and the baby is increased as the pregnancy progresses. Some of the possible complications while pregnant include the following:

Experiencing the symptoms such as pain in the pelvic region, discharge, or bleeding could be a sign that the unborn baby is at risk due to the vehicular accident. If you experience the symptoms mentioned in the previous section, go to your doctor right away.

FAQs On Car Accident While Pregnant

What Happens If You Get In a Car Accident While Pregnant?

Getting into a car accident is very frightening. It becomes more worrisome when the woman is carrying a baby. After getting medical assistance, knowing the legalities involved in the accident is very important. To avoid further stress and to ensure that your rights are protected, call a car accident attorney to help you with the legal matters involved in the accident.

Should I Go To The Hospital After a Fender Bender?

Even minor accidents can cause possible pregnancy complications. No matter where you are in your pregnancy journey, it is best to be examined by a doctor after a car crash. If you are carrying a baby in your womb, even minor fender benders can result in problems related to pregnancy. Thus, even if you feel fine, have yourself examined by your healthcare provider after the accident.

What Happens If You Get Rear-Ended While Pregnant?

Various risks may arise after being involved in a rear-ended auto accident while pregnant. Among the risks include:

Know your medical condition immediately after a rear-end collision to avoid complications related to pregnancy.

Should I Wear My Seat Belt When Pregnant?

Yes, wearing your seat belt when riding a vehicle is necessary, pregnant or not. For expecting moms, wearing their seat belts can protect you and your unborn child from injury or death in the event of a vehicular crash.

When you buckle up, observe the following:

Can a Car Wreck Cause Miscarriage?

Yes, especially if it is a high impact accident or the accident caused direct trauma to the fetus. Even if the vehicular crash happened a few weeks ago, miscarriages can still occur. For as long as a traumatic impact happens during a vehicular collision, there is a possibility of miscarriage.

Safety Tips For Pregnant Drivers To Protect Themselves And Their Unborn Babies

Being extra careful during pregnancy is very important for expecting moms. Here are some tips to observe while driving:

Steps to Take Following a Car Accident Involving a Pregnant Woman

If you’re pregnant and get in a car accident, there are things that you should immediately do:

Call the police.

Whether it is a low-impact car accident or a major one, inform the authorities about the crash.

Inform the responders that you are pregnant.

There is usually a different protocol if the persons involved in the car crash are expecting moms like the types of medications to administer. Also, the first responders would want to make sure that both the mother and the baby are in good condition after the crash.

Get medical help.

Even if you feel okay, seek medical assistance. Get checked immediately to avoid permanent injury to the fetus.

Collect information and file an insurance claim.

Document everything related to the accident, including the names, addresses, and contact information of those involved in the car accident. Look for possible witnesses and get their contact information too. File a police report and take photographs. Then call your insurance company and let them know about what happened.

Call your attorney.

A lawyer can assist you in dealing with the insurance company. Through your car accident lawyer, you can reach a favorable settlement for the damages you and your baby incurred because of the accident.

A Car Accident Attorney Can Help Expectant Mothers Involved In a Motor Vehicle Accident

Car accidents involving pregnant women can lead to devastating outcomes. A car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for the car crash.

An experienced car accident attorney can advise you as on your legal options relative to the accident. Insurance companies usually negotiate compensation for the pain and suffering that the victims suffered due to the accident. If you have a lawyer, your attorney can negotiate on your behalf so that you will get a settlement amount that is legally right for you and the baby in your womb.

How To Make a Wrongful Death Claim Against The Insurance Company

Unfortunately, fetal death can happen as a result of a car collision. Losing an unborn baby is difficult and tragic, especially if the death is unexpected and due to another person’s wrongful or negligent act.

A wrongful death claim allows the bereaved family to recover compensation for the pain and suffering brought about by the demise of the person due to another person’s wrongful act, fault, or negligence.

Once you’ve hired a lawyer, your attorney can help you file a wrongful death claim with the insurance company. The process of seeking compensation can be complicated, which is why seeking the representation of an experienced lawyer is crucial. Your lawyer can help you file an insurance claim, so you do not need to stress yourself further when it comes to these matters.

Compensation For Injuries To The Unborn Baby In a Car Accident

If, due to the accident, the unborn baby suffers injuries, is born prematurely, or dies, you can claim compensation for:

Basis For Calculating Compensation For the Pregnant Women and Her Unborn Child

The no-fault benefits can entitle the mother and her unborn baby to recover expenses related to medical bills and lost wages if the mother was unable to work because of the accident. The benefits may include the following, subject to the coverage level of the insurance policy:

In excess of the coverage of no-fault benefits, you may sue the at-fault driver.

For the pain and suffering you suffered and other economic damages, you should show proof or evidence that you or the baby inside the womb suffered an injury. This will be the basis for calculating the compensation that you are entitled to receive. The proof or evidence may include expenses for future medical care and treatment for serious complications and severe injuries of the fetus in the mother’s womb.

Pain and suffering also include mental anguish, anxiety, sleepless nights, and other psychological effects that you suffered because of the accident.

Statute Of Limitations In Filing a Car Crash Case

Generally, you have three years from the date of the vehicular accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for the injuries that you suffered. This applies to both bodily injury and wrongful death.

Know Your Legal Options. Contact a Motor Accident Attorney For a Free Consultation Today.

The law can be complicated, especially if you are the one involved in a car accident while pregnant. To know more about your legal rights and the legal compensation that you are entitled to receive, contact The Clark Law Office now.

Our team of dedicated and experienced personal injury and car accident lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation that you deserve.

Our lawyers charge no fees unless you win your case. Call us now to get a free quote.