Being injured in a car accident is never a pleasant experience, but it can be particularly frightening for a pregnant woman worried about the safety of her unborn child.
Evaluating Pregnancy Complications
When evaluating the consequences of a car accident on your unborn child, you need to consider two factors: how severe the crash was and how far along you are in your pregnancy.
A minor fender bender in your first trimester is more likely to cause injury to you than your unborn baby. In the earliest weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is still tucked behind the pelvic bone. The baby is also cushioned by amniotic fluid.
Accidents in the second or third trimester or severe crashes in the first trimester are more likely to lead to pregnancy complications. Women who have already been told they have a high-risk pregnancy are at the greatest risk of complications following a car accident.
After the accident, you should call your OB if:
- You’re experiencing vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and/or uterine contractions.
- You can no longer feel the baby move.
- Something struck your abdomen in the accident.
Note that it’s possible for symptoms to appear up to seven days after a car accident. If you have any concerns, check with your care provider as a precautionary measure. Electronic fetal monitoring may be recommended.
Protecting Your Rights
Potential complications associated with a car accident during pregnancy include:
- Placental abruption
- A loss of amniotic fluid
- Fetal skull injury
- Fetomaternal hemorrhage
- Miscarriage
- Still birth
- Preterm birth
Preterm birth is of particular concern because this can lead to both physical and intellectual disabilities in the child. Going forward, a child may have special medical needs requiring continuing care.
Proving causation in cases involving injury to an unborn child can be difficult, but retaining the services of an experienced attorney can protect the legal rights of both you and your baby.
Have You Been Injured In A Louisiana Car Accident?
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Alexandria office directly at 318.541.8188 to schedule your free consultation.