Car Accident Injuries While Pregnant
Attorney John S. Williams will fight for you and your family
Being injured in a car accident can be frightening under any circumstance. But when a pregnant woman is injured in a crash, it becomes even more frightening. The life and health of an unborn child is suddenly at risk. Injuries to the mother can easily lead to a miscarriage or complications that can result in disability.
If you hurt in a New Orleans car accident while pregnant, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. The Law Offices of John S. Williams is ready to help. Attorney John S. Williams understands that injuries to a pregnant woman can have a physical, emotional, and financial impact. He can fight for your rights.
Types of injuries that could affect pregnancy
There are many types of injuries in a car accident that could indicate there are pregnancy complications. These includes pain in the abdomen, vaginal bleeding or discharge, urinary issues, swelling in the hands and feet, dizziness, neck or back pain, bruising on the belly, headache, loss of consciousness, or changes in fetal movement.
If you were involved in a car accident, don’t wait to see a doctor. Get medical attention as soon as you can, even if you seem to feel fine. Emergency responders can examine you and transport you to a local hospital. Follow up with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) and primary care physician (PCP).
Pregnancy complications caused by car accident injuries
During pregnancy, an unborn baby develops inside the amniotic sac inside the uterus, where it is protected from injury to an extent. But injuries suffered by the mother in a car accident injury can cause pregnancy complications. These include:
- placental abruption (the placenta becomes separated from the uterus, depriving the fetus of oxygen and nutrients and possibly leading to brain damage)
- preeclampsia (a condition marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine that can cause fetal growth restriction, seizures, and organ damage)
- pre-term labor (contractions beginning before week 37)
- internal bleeding
- miscarriage
- stillbirth.
There is a greater risk of pregnancy complications if injuries occur in the second or third trimester. While high-speed crashes can be especially dangerous, even injuries from a low-impact or minor accident can cause complications – for example, being rear-ended while pregnant at an intersection.
The cost of injuries suffered while pregnant
If you were hurt in a car accident, you may need ambulance service, diagnostic tests, lab work, imaging tests, medication, surgery, hospitalization, and follow-up appointments with your OB-GYN and PCP. Expenses unique to pregnancy include:
- Fetal monitoring
- Future ER visits if warning signs develop
- Costs of cesarean delivery (C-section) if required due to complications
- Replacement services if you are required to rest at home
- Loss of income if you have to stop working earlier than planned.
There is also the pain and suffering and emotional distress you experience when the health of your child is in jeopardy. Attorney Williams can determine the total damages you suffered and fight for financial compensation.
Why a claim for injuries in a car accident while pregnant are complicated
The other driver involved in your crash may have been speeding, texting behind the wheel, driving recklessly, falling asleep, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But negligent drivers typically deny doing anything wrong. They may even try to blame you (or the driver of the car you were in during the accident).
Insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible. They may seek access to your medical records to try to argue that pregnancy complications were unrelated to the accident. They may try to minimize your injuries. Many times, they will offer a settlement that falls far short of covering all of your accident-related expenses.
How a lawyer can help
Attorney Williams knows that facts matter in these types of cases. That’s why our legal team will investigate your accident to find out what really happened. We gather evidence, including any video from nearby traffic or security cameras. We carefully review accident reports and medical records. We also interview witnesses and if needed, consult medical and accident reconstruction experts.
The insurance company will fight to keep your compensation low. We will fight back by building a strong case that they have to take seriously. What is the average settlement? It’s hard question to answer, because each case is different. But attorney Williams is dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you need to heal from your injuries and move forward.
We will stand up for you and your family. If you were hurt in a crash that could put your pregnancy at risk, learn more about how we can help. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced New Orleans car accident lawyer. Attorney Williams is ready to meet with you. Contact us today to schedule a time that works for you.