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How Does Being Pregnant Affect a Car Accident Claim?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
pregnant woman in a car A car accident during pregnancy can lead to devastating outcomes. If the accident was caused by someone else’s negligent actions, an expectant mother has the legal right to pursue compensation for her and her unborn child’s damages. If you were injured while pregnant due to someone else’s negligence, let our knowledgeable auto accident lawyers in Sacramento help you through the process of filing a claim. Our goal is to help you recover the compensation you need for medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages. We offer a free consultation and there are no upfront fees.

How an Accident Involving a Pregnant Woman Can Lead to More Damages

Nearly 200,000 pregnant women are injured in car accidents in the U.S. every year, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The injuries women sustain during these accidents are often serious and can potentially lead to abnormalities in their children after birth.

Placental Abruption

When the placenta gets detached from the wall of the uterus before the baby is ready to be born, it is called placental abruption and it is one of the most serious injuries pregnant women involved in motor vehicle accidents will experience, even in some low-impact crashes. The risk of placental abruption significantly increases in high-impact collisions to about 30-50 percent. When placental abruption occurs, it requires immediate medical intervention, such as a cesarean section operation to avoid further harm to the mother and fetus. Although C-Section operations may now be routine for many doctors, there is still a risk of infection, and the costs of an emergency C-Section are generally exponential.

High-Risk Pregnancy

Expectant mothers involved in a car accident may also fall under the category of high-risk pregnancies due to the need for constant monitoring, even if the woman did not experience serious injuries during the crash. A doctor is likely to recommend additional ultrasounds and other tests throughout the course of your pregnancy to assure there are no unnecessary complications when it comes time for the birth of the child. More visits to the doctor could lead to higher medical costs, especially if you need to be seen and cared for by a specialist, such as a gynecologist.

Coup and Contrecoup Injuries

If the pregnant woman involved in the accident experiences a head injury, either by being impacted by a moving object or having her head crash into a stationary object, it could result in a coup or contrecoup injury. The baby could also suffer this type of injury, which could result in something called “shaken baby syndrome” once the child is born. This is a serious brain injury that could lead to brain damage. An injury like this could cause long-lasting damage not only to the child, but also to the child’s parents or guardians who would bear the costs of medical attention for the future. Our attorneys are prepared to help you gather the necessary evidence to help build a strong case on your behalf. It is important to note that if a miscarriage occurs or a child is not born alive because of the injuries sustained in the crash, it may be possible seek compensation for wrongful death.

Can I Claim Emotional Damages for an Accident While Pregnant?

Yes, you may be able to recover compensation for any pain and suffering you personally experienced due to the accident. Pain and suffering usually refers to any physical or emotional pain, and you would still need to prove it is a direct cause of the collision. For example, the physical pain you experience while healing from a C-Section. If a woman miscarries due to her injuries in an accident, she still may be able to claim emotional damages if she can prove to the insurance company, or convince a jury, of her distress post-miscarriage.

We Are Ready to Help. Contact Us Today

Getting into an accident while pregnant may seriously impact not only your health, but the health of your child after birth. Call our knowledgeable attorneys today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights. We are prepared to help maximize your compensation.

Call 916-777-7777 to get started.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.