Car accidents can trigger all kinds of anxieties, and when you’re pregnant, it seems to amplify those feelings. If you are pregnant and were in a car accident, there are some specific things you should keep in mind. The following are just a couple.
Medical Attention Is Important
You may not feel like you have any injuries, but you can’t determine on your own what is going on inside of you. It’s possible you have internal injuries, and it’s also possible your baby is injured. After a car accident, be sure you check in with a paramedic at the scene and then don’t be timid about riding in an ambulance to the emergency room. Some common issues a pregnant woman may deal with following a car accident include:
- Placental abruption
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth
- Fetal trauma
- Coup and contrecoup injuries
- Birth defects
In many cases, but not all, being in a car accident lifts your pregnancy from regular to high-risk. It’s important you stay in close contact with your Ob/Gyn and that you attend all appointments he or she suggests you have. If the doctor recommends fetal stress tests, don’t miss them. If your doctor recommends bed rest for you, do it.
You May Be Entitled to Compensation
If another driver was at fault for your accident, that individual is also responsible to pay for your injuries and other associated costs. Working with a lawyer, you can determine which damages to seek so you know if the other driver’s insurance company is offering you a fair amount. If you don’t feel it’s fair, and the insurance company is unwilling to work with you, it might benefit you to get a lawyer involved.
Your lawyer can also help you work out a claim to sue the at-fault party for the accident. Some damages you may seek could include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and a variety of others. There could be some specifically related to being pregnant, so it’s important you have an experienced lawyer help you work through the specifics.
Immediately following your accident, you should collect evidence to help you with the legal process. This might include witness statements, as well as contact information. It might also include photographs of the scene and the damage done to your car. You should also collect medical bills that you have incurred due to the accident.
Contacting Your Lawyer Today
Pregnant women sacrifice a lot, and you shouldn’t have to do more than you’re required simply because someone else was reckless behind the wheel. If you were in a car accident while pregnant, contact a car accident attorney, like a car accident lawyer in Chicago, IL, today for assistance.
Thank you to the experts at The Law Offices of Konrad Sherinian, LLC, for their input into car accidents and the law.
