According to the University of Michigan, there are more than 200,000 pregnant people who are involved in car accidents each year — often with devastating effects. The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that having a car accident while pregnant is the single biggest contributor to fetal injuries and mortality.
When it comes to car accidents, pregnant people are at a higher risk than the general population. This is because pregnancy itself is a risk factor for injury, and the added stress of a car accident can lead to even more serious fetal issues.
There are a few things that pregnant people need to be aware of when it comes to car accidents. First, they should always wear their seatbelt. This will help to protect them and their baby in the event of a crash. Second, if they must drive, they should be extra careful and avoid any risky behavior. Finally, they should always seek medical attention after a car accident, even if they feel fine, since internal injuries can occur without any obvious symptoms.
Pregnant people who are involved in car accidents should be sure to follow these guidelines in order to protect themselves and their baby.
Why are Car Accidents, Even Small Ones, so Dangerous for Pregnant People?
A car accident, even a small one, can be very dangerous for a pregnant person. The impact can cause the woman to miscarry or can cause serious injuries. In some cases, the baby can be born prematurely or with physical defects.
Pregnant people are more susceptible to serious injury in a car accident than the average person. This is because pregnancy causes changes in a woman’s body that can make them more vulnerable to injury and pregnancy complications.
For example, pregnancy causes the enlargement of the uterus, which can compress the mother’s abdominal organs and restrict their diaphragm. This can make it difficult for the mother to breathe and increase the risk of abdominal injuries.
Pregnancy also changes a woman’s center of gravity. This can make it more likely to be thrown from the vehicle or to suffer serious injuries if the vehicle rolls over.
In addition, pregnancy can cause the mother’s blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to excessive bleeding if they are injured in a car accident.
If you are pregnant and involved in a car accident, it’s important to first seek medical attention and then contact an experienced car accident attorney with expertise in defending pregnant people after an accident.
What Kinds of Injuries to the Future Mom and Baby Are Common in Car Accidents?
Studies have shown that only 48.7% of healthcare providers ever discuss complications that may arise when driving during pregnancy with their pregnant patients.
Car accidents are unfortunately all too common, and they can result in a variety of injuries. Fetal death is of course the most tragic and most commonly occurs with placental abruption, but other serious injuries include:
Uterine Rupture. Uterine injury often results from pregnant people not wearing a seat belt who are directly impacted by the steering wheel or dashboard.
Placental Abruption. This is when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, cutting off blood flow to the placenta. This can cause a critical medical condition that can be fatal not only to the unborn child but can also result in serious and potentially life-threatening internal bleeding.
Maternal Shock. Maternal shock is known as hypovolemia, an emergency condition where severe blood or fluid loss causes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body. As a consequence, the mother’s body considers the fetus to be nonessential, and the body will shunt blood from the uterus, and other non-essential organs to maintain core bodily functions.
Maternal Death. Of course, when fatal injuries are sustained, especially if they die on impact, an infant’s survival is nearly impossible.
How Do Accidents with Pregnant People Typically Occur?
Pregnant people are more likely to be involved in car accidents than the general population. This is because pregnancy can cause physical and hormonal changes that can affect a woman’s ability to drive.
The most common type of car accident involving a pregnant woman is a rear-end collision. This is because pregnant people are more likely to be rear-ended than other drivers. Rear-end collisions can be very dangerous for pregnant people because the force of the impact can cause the uterus to rupture.
Another type of car accident that pregnant people are at risk for is a rollover accident. This is because pregnancy can cause a woman’s center of gravity to shift, making it more difficult to control the vehicle.
For these reasons, it’s important to wear your seatbelt at all times and avoid driving in hazardous conditions.
If you are involved in a car accident while pregnant, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible to ensure that you and your baby are okay, and contact an experienced accident injury attorney.
When a pregnant woman is involved in a car accident, there is a risk of injury. The most common injuries include broken bones, lacerations, and whiplash. These injuries can result in serious complications for both the mother and the child.
The unborn child is especially vulnerable to injury in a car accident. The most common injuries to the child include head trauma, spinal cord damage, placental abruption, and birth defects. These injuries can have lifelong consequences for the child.
When pregnant people are in an accident, they should ensure their babies’ safety by:
If you are a pregnant woman in the United States and your unborn baby is harmed, you have a few legal options available to you.
You can file a civil suit against the person or entity responsible for the harm. This could be the doctor who performed a negligent procedure, the hospital where you gave birth, or the manufacturer of a defective product you used during your pregnancy.
You can also file a criminal complaint against the person responsible for the harm. This is less common, but may be appropriate if the harm was intentional or if it resulted in the death of your unborn baby.
Finally, you can file a complaint with your state’s licensing board if the person responsible for the harm was a licensed professional, such as a doctor or nurse. This could result in the revocation of their license.
No matter what legal route you choose, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney to discuss your options and ensure that you are taking the best course of action for your particular situation.
If you are pregnant and have been in a car accident, you may be wondering how an experienced attorney can help you. Here are four ways an experienced accident attorney can help pregnant people who have been in car accidents:
If you are pregnant and get into a car accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Once you have been seen by a medical professional and they have cleared you, you will want to contact a lawyer.
If you were not at fault for the accident, you will likely be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you were partially at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation, but it will likely be reduced by your percentage of fault.
It is important to note that you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim, so you should not delay in seeking legal assistance. An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to review your case and advise you of the best course of action.
The injury attorneys at Torgenson Law are experts at navigating Arizona law regarding injury and wrongful death claims of pregnant people and have negotiated exceptional settlements on behalf of our clients.
To win an injury or wrongful death pregnancy lawsuit, the survivors must prove that the death was caused by the negligence or wrongfulness of another. This can be done by presenting evidence of the defendant’s carelessness or recklessness, such as eyewitness testimony, police reports, or expert testimony.
We put our more than twenty years of auto accident law experience and knowledge to use for you and your case. We understand that this can be a frustrating and challenging time for you and your family. We use our entire team of resources to work on your case to ensure that we arrive at the absolute best settlement possible.
John Torgenson is a highly experienced personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame. John has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, including an $8.25 million recovery for a gunshot injury victim. His expertise has earned him AVVO ratings and recognition as a Super Lawyer.
John is also a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law, sharing his extensive knowledge with peers and aspiring attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, John is an avid golfer and actively supports organizations like the Military Assistance Mission, Arizona School for the Arts, Page Balloon Regatta, University of Arizona Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and the Tim Huff Pro Bono Golf Classic.
Passionate about advocating for injury victims, John dedicates his career to battling insurance companies and corporate interests, ensuring that the rights of those who are hurt are vigorously defended.
