3 Things To Know About The Effects Of Car Accidents On Pregnancy

It is rare for a woman to miscarry a baby from a car accident; however, car accidents can effect a pregnancy. If you are involved in a car accident and are pregnant, it is vital to have your OBGYN thoroughly examine you afterwards. While the accident might not cause you to miscarry, it can cause other problems. Here are three things to know about this.

The Effects A Car Accident Can Have On An Unborn Child

Most car accidents include sudden impact. The level of impact has a lot to do with the injuries a person sustains during the accident, and it can also affect the damage done to the placenta. If the impact is great, it can lead to the following problems with a pregnancy:

  • Hemorrhaging
  • Premature delivery
  • Placental abruption
  • Stillbirth

The trauma you go through during the crash can cause problems with your pregnancy, which is why you should make sure you get checked right away. Your doctor will most likely physically examine you and run tests. An ultrasound is one test he or she can use to get a look at the baby.

The Problems Are Not Always Obvious Right Away

If you go to your doctor to get examined, the doctor might not find any issues right away. If the doctor does, he or she will treat you accordingly to help improve your chances of delivering a healthy baby. If the doctor does not find any problems, it is still vital to keep an eye on things for the rest of your pregnancy. If you experience any of the following signs weeks or months after the accident, you should make sure you see your doctor right away:

  • Bleeding – If you start spotting or bleeding, it could indicate a problem with your pregnancy.
  • Extreme abdominal pain – You should not feel extreme pain in your abdominal area during pregnancy. If you do, this too could indicate a problem.
  • No movement – If you are in your third trimester and are not feeling the baby move at all, you should seek help from your doctor.

If symptoms are not present right after an accident, it does not mean there are no problems with your pregnancy. These problems can develop afterwards and lead to complications with the pregnancy or delivery of the baby.

What You Can Do About This

After getting in a car accident while pregnant, you may want to talk with a car accident lawyer. If the other party was responsible for causing the accident, you might be able to receive a large amount of compensation for your injuries and trauma. This will include compensation for the damage to your car and your medical bills, and it can also include compensation for any emotional trauma you may have experienced from the accident.

If the other driver was doing something illegal while driving, you may be able to get even more money for your case. For example, if the other driver was drunk or texting while driving, your case may be worth more money. One reason for this is your lawyer might ask for punitive damages in addition to all the other types of damages car accident victims can receive.

Punitive damages are designed to punish a person who was doing something wrong, and to encourage the person not to repeat his or her actions in the future. Lawyers typically ask for punitive damages only when they can prove gross negligence on the part of the responsible party.

If you are not sure what to do after being involved in a car accident, contact a lawyer. Car accident lawyers specialize in helping victims of car accidents, and they will be able to help you settle your case.  


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