Car accidents can happen to anyone as these unfortunate events don’t get to select their victim between a healthy, sick, or pregnant person. The consequences of the crash differ according to its severity, for instance, if the automobile crashes at a high speed, there may be losses in lives or damage to properties. The experience is always scary to go through an accident, however, it is even more terrifying when you are pregnant. Being in the position of a pregnant woman involved in a car crash will cause you to fear for your life and your unborn child’s life as well. Below, you will find every step you should take if you are involved in a car crash while you are pregnant.
Visit the Emergency Room Immediately
The severity of the accident and how long you have been pregnant don’t matter when it comes to visiting the emergency room. The reason is that either way, you need to get a complete check-up to make sure that no damage has been done. The doctors will check for any apparent signs such as bleeding, swelling, or bruises. You should also let them know if you have any symptoms like pain or contractions.
The womb protects the fetus during an impact, however, if the blow is too strong, the placenta may get separated from the uterus. Getting a placenta separated from the uterus is one of the most dangerous conditions as it may lead to hemorrhage, premature birth, or miscarriage. Some life-threatening conditions may occur such as uterine injury. If the uterus ruptures, the fetus will most probably die, while the mother will suffer from extreme blood loss that may also lead to her death.
After you get cleared to go home, you need to monitor yourself for any pain or abnormal cramps. Monitoring yourself after you’ve been discharged from the hospital is important because the effects of the blow may not appear immediately, so you will have to wait for these post-accident effects to show themselves. That said, it is preferable to visit the doctor after a couple of days to make sure that your condition is stable.
Document Every Detail
If you plan on pursuing a legal claim, you have to document every step. Evidence will prove that your injuries were related to the car accident. It is recommended to save all your medical records and bills, calculate sustained financial losses, and take pictures of the accident. The more you remember, the better it will be for your legal claim, so it is preferable to keep a journal because our memory may betray us sometimes.
Seek Legal Assistance
The medical expenses that a pregnant woman has to deal with following an accident can break the bank. It may take hours or days of fetal monitoring, ultrasounds, and tests, which result in spending days at the hospital and paying huge amounts of money. This is in addition to the damage caused to the car, lost wages, and suffering from pain and anguish. That’s why you should file a claim to get compensation from the at-fault party. You can call an Anaheim Lemon Law Attorney. They’ll help you navigate the legal system and get the compensation you deserve.
Labor may be difficult because of the accident, but you will never know until the delivery moment. That’s why consulting an attorney, in this case, is necessary so that they can walk you through the entire process and deal with the insurance company, witnesses, and at-fault party on your behalf. Furthermore, if you are not sure whether your unborn baby has been affected or not, attorneys at https://butlerfirm.com/what-should-you-do-if-youre-in-a-car-accident-while-pregnant/ recommend waiting after giving birth to determine the extent of the damage. For instance, the baby may be born with birth defects, which will require numerous visits to the hospital and costly rehabilitative surgeries. If the infant suffers from the shaken baby syndrome, brain damage will occur. That’s why you need to have an expert lawyer by your side to inform you of the best time to file a legal claim.
File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
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One of the worst situations that a pregnant woman can go through is a miscarriage or the death of the infant following birth. Even though the law is still unclear about the death of the unborn child, it states that you can file a wrongful death lawsuit if the baby dies from injuries sustained during the accident. This doesn’t mean that the law takes miscarriage lightly, as you can still file a personal injury claim. You can get a huge compensation out of it for the pain and suffering you will be subjected to in this case.
Being involved in a car crash is traumatizing for anyone, especially for pregnant women. To carry a child in your womb is already a tough situation, so the consequences of the accident will make the situation even harder. After reading the above, you will have a fair idea of what to do following a crash, especially when it comes to your medical and legal needs. You will also know that hiring an attorney will make it easier for you by taking care of the legal aspect.
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