- Car Accidents
Expecting a child is one of the happiest moments in any couple’s life. The promise of passing something of yourself to future generations and nurturing a child is, possibly, the ultimate fulfillment for many people. However, as a Fayetteville car accident lawyer knows, these hopes can be crushed in a moment. Too many pregnant women suffer horrible injuries in car accidents.
These injuries may have a significant impact on the unborn child. A woman may suffer a miscarriage after being in a car accident while pregnant. In other cases, the child is left with impairments that will reduce his/her quality of life after birth. Doctors may have to remove the child to save the mother’s life.
These are some of the most heartbreaking cases for any Fayetteville car accident lawyer. They are made worse by the callous attitude of insurance companies. As soon as they notice that a pregnant woman is involved in a traffic accident, they will try to settle the case as soon as possible. They know that the economic damages alone can be very high in such cases.
What Are the Risks for Pregnant Women in Car Accidents?
Every year around 170,000 women are involved in car accidents while pregnant. Out of all these cases, between 300 and 5,000 unborn babies lose their life.
Also, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine publishes an extensive study involving nearly 900,000 pregnant women. The researchers found out that car accidents represent the number one trauma leading to hospitalization for pregnant women.
All these data show a sad reality: pregnant women are extremely vulnerable and prone to severe injuries in car accidents. The worst possible outcome is when both the mother and the unborn child both lose their lives.
The risk of pregnancy complications from an accident increases the further along a mother is in pregnancy. A car crash in the second trimester is more dangerous than in the first trimester, and a car wreck during the third trimester is the most dangerous.
Even a low-impact car accident while pregnant can cause serious complications. It’s vital to seek prompt medical attention after an auto accident.
Complications of Car Accident While Pregnant
A car accident while pregnant can lead to several serious complications besides injuries commonly associated with car crashes, like fractures, whiplash, back injuries, head injuries, and neck injuries. These complications can have a devastating impact on both pregnant mothers and unborn children.
Possible pregnancy complications include:
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption is where the placenta separates from the lining of the uterus prematurely. This condition can disrupt the oxygen and nutrient supply to the unborn baby. Immediate medical attention is crucial to manage placental injuries and prevent severe outcomes for both mother and child.
Uterine Rupture
Although rare, uterine rupture is another potential complication. This occurs when the uterine wall tears, often due to the impact of the accident. Uterine rupture can lead to severe internal bleeding, posing a life-threatening risk to both the mother and unborn child. Emergency surgery is typically required, and uterine abruption often leads to fetal death.
Preterm Labor
Trauma from a car accident can also trigger preterm labor, where contractions begin before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This can result in the birth of a premature baby, who may face various health challenges, including respiratory difficulties, infections, low birth weight, and long-term developmental issues.
Direct Fetal Injuries
Auto accidents can cause direct fetal trauma. These injuries can occur due to the impact on the mother’s abdomen or from rapid deceleration forces. While direct fetal injuries are uncommon, they most often involve head trauma and neck injuries.
Internal Bleeding
Both the mother and the developing fetus are at risk of internal bleeding following a car accident. During motor vehicle accidents, the steering wheel or seat belt can cause internal injuries. You should always see a doctor immediately after a car crash.
Miscarriage or Stillbirth
In the most severe cases, the trauma from a car accident can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. The physical trauma and stress can cause the loss of the pregnancy, either immediately or in the days following the accident.
Many women involved in a car accident while pregnant will develop a high-risk pregnancy, which requires constant monitoring.
As any Fayetteville car accident lawyer knows, these injuries translate into very high medical bills and cause severe emotional distress for the family. Insurance adjusters will try to pressure people into accepting a quick settlement and signing the document that takes away any chance of future financial recovery.
What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident While Pregnant
If you are in a car accident while pregnant, it is crucial to prioritize your health and the safety of your unborn child. Here are the steps you should take following the accident.
- Call 911: Immediately after the accident, call 911 to report the incident and request assistance. Inform the dispatcher that you are pregnant. You should be taken to the nearest emergency room for an evaluation.
- Seek Immediate Medical Care: Even if you feel fine initially, you need a thorough medical examination. At the ER, explain that you are pregnant and need a thorough exam to ensure both you and your baby are safe.
- Preserve Evidence from the Accident Scene: If you are physically able, try to gather evidence from the accident scene. Take photographs of the vehicles involved, any visible vehicle damage, and the surrounding area. Obtain contact information from witnesses and exchange details with the other driver.
- Keep Records: Leep copies of medical records, expenses, and communications with the insurance company.
- Contact a Lawyer: An experienced car accident attorney can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Compensation for Injuries to the Pregnant Woman and Unborn Child
If you’re involved in a car accident while pregnant, you can seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company for your injuries and injuries to your unborn child.
- Medical Costs: Compensation should cover all immediate medical expenses related to the accident. This can include hospital stays, medications, and an emergency C-section.
- Future Medical Care: This may involve physical therapy, specialized care for pregnancy-related complications, and ongoing care for a child after a premature birth.
- Birth Defects: If a child is left with birth defects, the family can recover compensation for the child’s disability.
- Lost Wages: This includes the mother’s lost income during recovery and lost future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: This includes physical pain and emotional distress.
Can You File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Miscarriage Caused by a Crash?
Despite all the doctors’ efforts, some unborn babies simply do not survive the trauma of a car accident. The devastating effects of such a loss are hard to describe in words. And nothing a Fayetteville car accident lawyer does will bring back that tiny life growing in your womb.
However, you have the right to seek financial damages from the at-fault driver, both for your financial losses and for your pain and suffering. In this situation, you will need a compassionate and experienced lawyer.
The fact is that the state of Georgia has a very specific rule for filing a wrongful death lawsuit for the death of an unborn child. According to Georgia laws, the fetus must have a “detectable human heartbeat.”
A human heartbeat is defined as “embryonic or fetal cardiac activity or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the heart within the gestational sac.”
Let a Compassionate Fayetteville Car Accident Lawyer Handle Your Case
The consequences of a car accident while pregnant can affect two or more lives. Some pregnant women lose their unborn baby or babies. Others will give birth to children with permanent disabilities or impairments. Thus, a car accident involving a pregnant woman poses specific difficulties for Fayetteville accident attorneys.
With over 70 years of combined legal experience, Wade Law is capable of handling such difficult cases, both at a professional and a human level. We will treat you with compassion and fight to obtain the maximum compensation you deserve. We will not let an insurance adjuster harass you and try to force your hand into accepting a lowball amount.
Since the process is so much more complex in these cases, we encourage you to schedule a free case review with us as soon as possible after your accident. We will examine the evidence carefully and represent you on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay once we win compensation for you.
Call us today at 770-282-1188 for a free consultation!