Car accidents can cause both physical and mental or emotional injuries as well as property damage.
They can result in lost wages, inability to perform daily activities or hobbies, and it may affect your family life. These situations can be very frightening and difficult to deal with for anyone, but for pregnant women, car accidents can be even more terrifying. These situations are particularly stressful because, in addition to property damage and personal injuries, there is also the chance of injury to the unborn child as well.
Seek Medical Attention
Any pregnant woman who experiences an auto accident should immediately seek medical attention. Even if the accident was not severe or high impact, immediate medical care should be a top priority. Making sure that you and your unborn child are alright should be the number one concern. Whether you think you have sustained injuries or not, get medical care. Notify the medical professionals you see that you are pregnant right away so that they can administer any care you and your baby might need.
After the 12th week of pregnancy, the chance of injury to the fetus is significantly increased, because the fetus is no longer protected by the pelvis.
If you have been involved in a car accident and notice any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:
- Severe headache
- Chills or fever
- Dizziness
- Any unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding
- Facial or digital swelling
- Shoulder pain
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Changes in your baby’s movements
After you have been evaluated by a doctor, matters of liability, property damage, and legal counsel can be addressed.
Car Accident Risks for Pregnant Women
The impact of an auto accident can be harmful to a fetus. The same actions that can cause whiplash and injury to a man, woman, or child, can also cause harm to a woman’s unborn child. A woman does not need to receive a blow to her stomach or torso for the injury to affect the baby. High-speed car crashes may potentially cause more devastating injuries to both mother and baby, and cause a much higher risk of pregnancy. Low-speed impacts are dangerous as well.
The risks of car accidents include the following risks to pregnant women:
- Miscarriage
- Premature labor
- Cesarean section
- Birth defects
- Hemorrhaging
- Placental abruption where the placenta can become detached from the womb
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
After an accident, you should contact a St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. While medical treatment is the number one priority, if the accident was caused by the actions of a negligent driver, holding them responsible should also be a top priority. An experienced car accident at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. will be able to offer advice regarding getting you the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, property damage, injuries, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. Contact an attorney right away so that they can begin an investigation into the case and collect evidence proving the at-fault driver was negligent. Acting quickly is important as it becomes more difficult to prove as time goes on.
To contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. regarding a free consultation, call us at (314) 361-4242 or fill out our online case evaluation form.