What if I’m Involved in a Low-Impact Car Accident During Pregnancy?

You should seek medical attention if you’re involved in a low-impact car accident while pregnant. Expectant mothers should take special care after even minor collisions as an impact could have unforeseen effects on an unborn baby.

Most minor car accidents won’t harm the baby, but because of the risk involved, the professionals recommend that you see a doctor immediately anyway. Additionally, you should report the crash to the police and seek help from an Atlanta car accident lawyer.

A lawyer can help you understand your legal options for securing compensation as a pregnant mother involved in a low-impact collision.

What Should You Do If You’re Involved in a Low-Impact Car Accident While Pregnant?

If you’ve been in any kind of car accident while pregnant, a doctor should examine you as soon as possible. Catching complications early will help you address them immediately, which can have a significant impact on you and your child.

Remember that getting an examination is a good idea no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy. Even if you feel fine after a car accident, you may want a thorough exam. Even minor accidents, such as parking lot accidents, can lead to severe problems for pregnant women.

You should also:

Contact Law Enforcement

You should report any auto accident that causes proper damage or injuries to the police. Officers can record what happened and file an official police report, which can help if you need to file a claim for compensation.

Gather Evidence

If possible, you should collect evidence after an accident during pregnancy. You may need to:

• Take pictures of the accident scene and your direct injuries
• Get contact information from the at-fault driver and eyewitnesses
• Write down everything that happened

Taking these steps can help with your legal claim.

Talk to a Lawyer

Getting fast help from an Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you get your peace of mind back after a crash. An attorney can help you understand your options and answer any questions you have about legal matters.

Working with a personal injury attorney can help you secure compensation to cover any losses you experience due to an accident. For example, you may get funds for your:

• Current and long-term medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain
• Emotional distress
• Mental suffering

You can build a claim against the at-fault party as a pregnant car accident victim with help from a legal professional.

Your lawyer can also help you understand what happens if you’re involved in a low-impact car accident during pregnancy.

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Why Is Being Involved in a Car Accident While Pregnant Dangerous?

The jolting movements and potential blunt force of a car accident could cause pregnancy complications. Possible effects of a car accident on a pregnant woman include:

• Pre-term labor
• Miscarriage
• Uterine injuries
• Birth defects
• Internal bleeding
• Creating a high-risk pregnancy

A steering wheel or seat belt can press on a pregnant woman’s stomach, sometimes resulting in pregnancy-related injuries and fetal trauma. Crashes could result in premature birth, brain damage to your child, and the need for an emergency C-section.

Car accidents are one of the most common reasons that pregnant women suffer injuries that affect their children. 

Ensure that you seek medical care if you experience abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, or any physical trauma. After getting treatment, ensure that you follow all recommendations from your doctor to keep your baby safe.

Emotional Trauma Can Impact Your Unborn Baby

Even the emotional strain of being involved in a car accident can affect your unborn baby. Long-term mental stress can result in birth complications as well, including losing your child.

Therefore, even a low-impact accident that doesn’t directly harm the baby can still affect your pregnancy or your unborn child’s health.

Other Physical Effects of a Car Accident on a Fetus

Of course, your womb is nature’s way of providing vital protection for your baby, but if your stomach suffers an impact or if you have a sudden stop that jolts your body, the placenta could separate from the uterus.

This occurrence is called “placental abruption,” and it can lead to severe complications in your pregnancy. This condition happens most often in the third trimester but can occur any time after 20 weeks.

Pregnant women and their children may also suffer from coup and contrecoup injuries that occur when a person’s head strikes a stationary object. While this type of injury is far more likely to affect just the mother, the baby can suffer from this type of damage as well. Essentially, the child suffers from “shaken baby syndrome” before even being born.

Can You Lose a Baby Due to a Car Accident?

The fetal injuries caused by even a low-impact car accident could result in the loss of your unborn child. A sudden impact or other issues caused by the crash could result in fetal death.

In this situation, you can turn to a lawyer for help filing a wrongful death claim against the liable party.

You can rely on an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer to provide your family with compassionate support during this challenging time. 

Contact Us After an Accident During Your Pregnancy

What if you’re involved in a low-impact car accident during pregnancy? Even a minor crash can have tremendous impacts on your health and the well-being of your baby. You should get fast medical attention and reach out to a lawyer to discuss your next steps.

If you have suffered birth complications after a car accident while pregnant, you have legal options. You may be able to recover expenses related to additional medical care, lost time away from work, and more. You can call our team at John Foy & Associates or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.