Pregnancy is a time of excitement and joy, but many pregnant women also experience a great deal of anxiety during this delicate time. While healthcare providers and concerned relatives may speak earnestly about the dangers of certain foods or exercises, the risks of car accidents and their potential harm to mothers and their unborn children are often overlooked.
Knowing what to do if you are in a car accident while pregnant can help decrease the likelihood of pregnancy complications. If you or your baby do suffer harm, it is essential to know what your legal options are.
Importance of Seeking Medical Attention Even After a Low-Impact Crash
It is vital to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident while pregnant, even if it was a low-impact collision. Even minor accidents can cause severe injuries to a pregnant mother and her unborn baby. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or direct fetal trauma, may not manifest symptoms right away.
Prompt medical care can help identify and treat potentially serious complications before they escalate and result in premature birth or even fetal death. Furthermore, medical records documenting your injuries can serve as valuable evidence if you decide to pursue a settlement for a car accident while pregnant or file a car accident while pregnant lawsuit or insurance claim.
Risks to Mother and Child from a Car Crash
A car accident can pose significant risks to both the mother and the unborn child. The sudden impact and force of a collision can cause the placenta to separate from the uterine wall, leading to placental abruption. This serious condition can deprive the fetus of oxygen and nutrients, potentially resulting in fetal injuries, including brain damage, premature labor, birth complications, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
Other possible complications include maternal hemorrhaging, uterine rupture, and direct fetal injury. Seeking immediate medical attention is essential to assess and address any potential risks promptly.
Why Is a Car Accident While Pregnant So Complex?
Car accidents involving pregnant vehicle occupants can be particularly complex due to the unique challenges they present. In addition to the physical and emotional trauma experienced by the pregnant woman, there is also concern for the unborn child’s well-being.
Injuries sustained during pregnancy may have long-term consequences for both the mother and the child, requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Moreover, assessing damages in a car accident claim during pregnancy can be complicated, as it may involve calculating future medical expenses and evaluating the injury’s impact on the child’s quality of life.
Potential Compensation for Injuries in a Car Accident While Pregnant
If you or your unborn child suffer harm after a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including any necessary future treatment for the mother or child
- Lost income due to missed time at work
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Since 1966, the Northern Alabama car accident attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., have been fighting for the rights and interests of people who have suffered painful losses. Let us put our experience and skills to work for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a compassionate car accident attorney at our law firm.
