Any time an individual is involved in a car accident, the experience can be quite harrowing; when it involves a pregnant woman, the experience can be outright frightening. Not only must the victim deal with the aftermath of a car accident, she also needs to consider any potential injuries to her unborn baby.

Effects of a Car Accident on a Pregnancy

An accident doesn’t have to be serious to be detrimental to an unborn baby; any sudden stopping motion (whether from the crash itself or a braking action in order to avoid a crash) can create enough jostling motion to put the baby at risk. There is no need for a blow to the stomach to occur to cause injury to the baby; even a minor accident at a low speed can cause injury, especially if the pregnancy is high-risk.

Some of the complications that can arise for a pregnant woman following a car accident include the following:

• Premature labor
• Miscarriage
• Hemorrhaging
• Placental abruption
• Necessity for a cesarean section
• Development of birth defects

Immediate Medical Attention is Essential

There is no disputing how important it is to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident, but this is even more important for a pregnant woman. She may believe she wasn’t injured in the crash, and quite possibly she wasn’t, but the crash may have injured the unborn baby. During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the pelvis protects the fetus, but after that time, this lack of protection from the pelvis puts the baby at a higher risk for injury.

Even if you have already been checked out by a doctor, you should report to the emergency room if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Chills or fever
• Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Dizziness
• Persistent vomiting unrelated to morning sickness
• Change in the baby’s movements
• Severe headache
• Swollen fingers or face
• Abdominal or shoulder pain

While it will likely be necessary to speak to an attorney, file claims for damages, and quite possibly even a claim for personal injury, the initial priority is that of the unborn child. After medical care has been addressed, you (or your attorney) will then address the insurance claims and related legal issues.

Why You Need Medical Attention

It doesn’t matter whether the accident is minor or more serious; a pregnant woman needs to undergo an examination as soon as possible after an auto accident. Even though the womb does offer a certain amount of protection for both the baby and placenta, a sudden impact (even if it’s minor) can cause the placenta to separate from the uterus. This complication of pregnancy is called placental abruption and can lead to a number of more serious problems that may include hemorrhaging, miscarriage, premature labor, and even cerebral palsy.

If you or your unborn child has suffered injuries (including miscarriage or premature labor) as the result of an automobile accident, the attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm can help you determine the extent of damages to which you and your family may be entitled. Call us at 1-800-ATTORNEY and allow us to take some of the burden off your shoulders. You focus on recovering; let us focus on recovering the money you need and deserve.