Car accidents can be traumatic under any circumstance. If one happens while you’re pregnant, the consequences can be life-changing. Here’s what can happen in the collision and its aftermath and what you can do to seek justice.
Compensation Available for Parents and Their Baby
You might ask yourself, “What is the average settlement for a car accident while pregnant?” While there is no exact answer, pregnant women involved in car accidents could be owed money for the following:
- Medical bills including costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, or premature labor care
- Costs of long-term care for disabilities you or your unborn baby suffers, including home health care, special education services, or disability accommodations
- Lost wages/income due to missed time from work
- Loss of earning capacity caused by permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life due to permanent disabilities or disfigurement/scarring
How Dangerous Can a Car Accident While Pregnant Be?
The traumatic force a car accident places on the human body can cause severe complications for a pregnant woman, including:
- Internal bleeding
- High-risk pregnancy
- Birth injuries
- Miscarriage
- Pre-term labor
- Placental abruption
- Preeclampsia
Pregnant women should seek immediate medical attention after a serious car accident, especially if they experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or discharge, dizziness, headaches, neck and back pain, chest or abdominal bruising, or changes in fetal movement.
How Can a Car Accident Affect Your Child?
Unborn children are at particular risk of serious injuries in motor vehicle crashes. While the womb provides a measure of protection, it is often not enough to absorb the violent force entirely. Babies in the womb can suffer physical trauma, such as traumatic brain injuries, which can potentially result in permanent damage, leading to cognitive deficits, physical disabilities, or even death.
What Can Pregnant Women Do After a Car Accident?
Pregnant women can protect themselves and their unborn children by taking prompt action after a car crash. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself in the aftermath of a car accident during pregnancy:
- Report the accident to law enforcement and obtain a copy of the police crash report.
- Seek prompt medical attention to monitor your baby’s condition and get treated for your injuries.
- Request copies of your medical records of your treatment and rehabilitation.
- Keep all bills, invoices, or receipts for expenses you incur during your accident recovery.
- Gather your pay stubs/income statements if you need to take time off work to recover after the car accident.
Finally, contact a car accident lawyer from Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, as soon as possible for legal help pursuing the money you and your unborn child deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, physical injuries, and emotional trauma.
Contact Our West Virginia Car Accident Lawyers to Learn More
If you sustained injuries in a car accident while pregnant, you deserve to recover compensation for what you’ve suffered. Contact Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a West Virginia car accident attorney to discuss your legal options for pursuing accountability and justice at no upfront cost.
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