Hurt in a Car Accident While Pregnant?

Pregnant women face unique health risks and pregnancy complications from injuries in a car crash. Being involved in a car accident during pregnancy can potentially harm the unborn baby, often causing intense worry and additional stress on the pregnant woman. Receiving medical care after a car accident while pregnant is essential for diagnosing injuries to both mother and unborn baby before they develop into more significant concerns.

Serious Risks to Mother and Unborn Child

Both pregnant women and their unborn children can suffer a variety of severe injuries in car accidents, including:

• Impact injuries – Can a car accident cause a miscarriage? In some severe car accidents, miscarriages occur due to force-induced fetal displacement. The impact of the crash on the mother’s abdomen can cause the placenta to detach, endangering the fetus and potentially leading to fetal death. Other serious injuries include placental injuries like placental abruption, uterine injuries like uterine rupture, and other pregnancy complications. 
• Fetal injuries – Blunt-force trauma to the fetus in an auto accident can cause direct fetal injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, fractures, birth defects, internal organ damage, and internal bleeding. These in-utero injuries can have adverse long-term effects. 
• Premature birth – Preterm labor can occur after a car wreck for various reasons, including a detached placenta and the additional stress the mother experiences following an accident. Premature delivery carries potential risks like respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), low birth weight, and brain hemorrhaging.

Seeking Immediate Medical Attention is Crucial

 You must seek medical attention after a car accident while pregnant, even if the damage to your vehicle is minimal and you don’t have any immediately apparent injuries.

After a car accident while pregnant, you should:

• Seek medical care. Get a medical evaluation from first responders right after the accident or go to a local hospital or emergency room to identify and treat any potential injuries.
• Have the fetus evaluated. Let the treating nurses and doctor know about your pregnancy and other information about your health so they can examine the fetus for injury.
• Attend all follow-up appointments. Follow up with your doctor to review concerns and create a record of care and treatment for you and your child.

Long-Term Effects and Future Care Needs

 Assessing the long-term impact of a car accident on your child’s development can be challenging and nearly impossible to predict. Your child might need additional support throughout their developmental years, such as:

• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Emotional support services
• Additional educational support 

Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After a Car Accident While Pregnant?

After an accident, you’re trying to put your life back together, but the combined stress of pregnancy and car accidents can make it seem impossible. Hiring our personal injury attorneys can help relieve your stress by: 

• Collecting accident documentation – Your lawyer can gather eyewitness statements, accident reports, medical records, and other evidence about the crash while you recover.
• Determining the extent of your losses – Your lawyer can assign fair value to your and your child’s injuries, which is critical for pursuing compensation for future medical expenses throughout your child’s development.
• Negotiating with insurers – Your lawyer can negotiate with insurance adjusters, allowing you to avoid unnecessary stress and focus on healing. 

Talk to Our Experienced Tennessee Car Accident Lawyers Today

 Were you and your unborn child hurt in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence? The car accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm want to help. We’ve helped families seek the justice they deserve since 1960 and are ready to do the same for you.

 Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.