What to Do If You Suffer a Pregnancy-Related Injury in an Accident

Getting into an accident is a traumatic experience, even more so if you are pregnant. The sheer power of a car crash can be especially harmful to both expectant mothers and unborn babies, and any injury while carrying a baby has the potential to result in complications or even a miscarriage.

It is important to understand your rights and responsibilities under personal injury law, seek medical help as soon as possible, and look into hiring a personal injury lawyer. Our attorneys explain more.

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Pregnancy can be a wonderful and exciting time for many women, but it is also a period where their bodies undergo significant changes. These changes can make them more susceptible to injuries, especially if they are involved in an accident.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of pregnancy-related injuries.

The severity of the injuries depends on:

The force of impact
The speed at which the collision occurred
The position of the seat belt.

Pregnant women who are not wearing a seat belt at the time of an accident are at higher risk for injury, including serious harm to themselves and their unborn child.

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after any type of car accident, regardless of how you feel.

Injuries sustained during a car accident can range from minor bruising to life-threatening conditions such as placental abruption or preterm labor.

Damage to the Placenta

Your unborn baby depends on the placenta for oxygen and nutrition, which ensures its development, and it may not get enough oxygen if the placenta separates (placental abruption) or is harmed in any other way during an accident.

Oxygen deprivation can result in:

Cerebral palsy
Brain damage
Tissue damage

In some cases, placental abruption can sadly result in stillbirth.

Injuries to the Baby

Even while the uterus shields your unborn child from harm, an accident could still result in direct injury. The sudden jolt caused by a collision could result in the baby’s brain being slammed against its skull, causing brain damage.

Enough pressure on the mother’s abdomen from the seatbelt or airbag could cause further injuries such as broken bones.

Uterine Injuries

Both you and your unborn child may suffer harm from extra uterine pressure from an accident. If struck hard enough, a hemorrhage, uterine rupture, and early labor could occur, alongside harm to your baby.

Unexpected Pregnancy Injury: What to Do Next

If you’re pregnant and involved in a car accident, it can be a scary experience. Even if the initial shock wears off quickly, there’s still the possibility that you or your baby may have been injured.

Unfortunately, pregnancy injuries as a result of car accidents are not uncommon. They can be quite severe and cause long-lasting damage.

If you have been in an accident while pregnant, the first thing to do is seek medical attention immediately.

Even if you feel fine at first, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor who can assess any potential injuries. They may recommend additional tests or procedures to ensure both you and your baby’s well-being.

If any injuries are identified or suspected, make sure to follow up with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) for ongoing monitoring.

Note: It’s also important to keep track of all medical expenses associated with the injury – these may be covered by your PIP insurance or other insurance coverage.

The High Costs of an Accident While Pregnant

While there isn’t a set typical settlement for a pregnancy-related automobile accident, it is undeniable that being pregnant can raise the cost of an accident and, thus, the value of your claim.

These potential costs include:

Hospitalization
Medical tests to monitor fetal heart rate
Emergency room visits
Loss of income if bed rest is recommended to prevent complications
In-home services like childcare or housekeeping if you are unable to perform these tasks due to injury
C-section costs if there were complications with the pregnancy due to the accident
Emotional impacts
Lifetime care if your baby sustained permanent brain damage

Legal Options Following an Accident

If you’ve suffered an accident during pregnancy, you may be wondering what your legal options are. This is where personal injury lawyers like ours at Mickey Keenan P.A. come in.

Personal injury attorneys specialize in supporting those who have suffered harm as a result of the carelessness or negligence of others. They can help you navigate the complex legal system and fight for your rights as an accident victim.

Our skilled personal injury attorneys can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Further, we can assist you in filing a wrongful death claim if the vehicle accident resulted in an unexpected miscarriage or stillbirth. We know how heartbreaking this can be, and compensation won’t fix the pain you are feeling, but we will be with you every step of the way.

Lean on Our Attorneys

At Mickey Keenan P.A., our attorneys understand that a pregnancy-related injury can be difficult to manage and will do their best to help you receive the assistance you need. Our team is well-versed in personal injury law and has a deep understanding of how car accidents can lead to unique circumstances for pregnant women who are injured.

We understand how devastating these injuries can be and are here to provide support during this difficult time. Contact us for a FREE case review today at 813-871-1300.