Car accidents are emotionally challenging events no matter what. But for pregnant victims, the stakes are higher because they have to worry about the well-being of their unborn child. Car accidents involving pregnant victims have nuances because they might include damages to the child as well.
During pregnancy, women must be vigilant to avoid dangerous situations for their unborn child. Some dangers present developmental concerns for the baby while others are physical dangers.
Tragically, an auto accident can lead to permanent ailments for the mother or child. Here’s what you need to know about pursuing compensation for pregnancy-related complications after a car accident.
Common Injuries Pregnant Women Face From Car Accidents
After a car accident, pregnant women should seek medical attention immediately and let the medical professionals know that they are pregnant. They should seek a full evaluation for both themselves and their unborn baby. Common injuries pregnant women and their babies face include the following:
- Miscarriage: in some cases, women miscarry due to the trauma they suffer during a car accident. Wearing a seat belt is the best way to protect you and your unborn child, but sometimes that isn’t enough to avoid miscarriage during a car accident.
- Premature birth: due to the trauma and injuries that a car accident can cause, babies can be born prematurely. Premature birth is when a baby is born anytime before 37 weeks gestation. Trauma during pregnancy can lead a woman to go into labor before the baby is ready.
- Placental abruption: the placenta is essential to sustaining an unborn baby’s life because it supplies the baby with blood and nutrients. If the placenta separates from the uterine wall due to trauma during a car accident, it puts the unborn baby at severe risk.
- Internal injuries: unborn babies can suffer from internal bleeding due to the impact of the accident. But they can also suffer a perforated organ or hemorrhaging. The leading cause of fetal death during a car accident is from shoulder belt syndrome. When this happens, it’s due to the shoulder belt putting too much pressure on the mother’s abdomen, which puts pressure on the unborn child.
- Congenital disabilities: babies born prematurely often suffer from a congenital disability. Some examples of congenital disabilities include underdeveloped lungs, heart defects, jaundice, anemia, hearing problems, blindness, or an underdeveloped gastrointestinal tract.
- Emergency C section: pregnant women involved in car accidents might require an emergency C section to save their life or the life of the baby. These operations put both the mother and baby at risk.
Damages Pregnant Women Can Pursue Following a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can cause serious damage to a mother or her unborn child. If you’ve suffered an injury, you can pursue medical care coverage for yourself and your baby. But you can also pursue ongoing medical care in the case of birth injury or defects related to the car accident.
The damages you can pursue include:
- Medical bills for both you and your baby
- Ongoing medical bills in the case of congenital birth defects or permanent disability
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
The amount you can pursue for damages will vary based on the severity of your injuries or those of your baby as well as the pregnancy complications you suffered. You should seek a skilled attorney who understands how to deal with these types of cases. Stewart & Stewart is a team of car accident experts who also know the importance of caring for both mom and baby after an accident. You’ll find a compassionate, understanding team when you work with us. Schedule your free consultation now.