Pregnant women face a unique risk of being injured in a car accident. Being injured in a car accident is terrifying for anyone, but particularly so for pregnant women. There are certain risks that increase for pregnant accident victims even when car accidents are not considered serious. Even a fender bender can result in injury to a pregnant woman. Pregnant women need to worry about their own health and safety. They also have to worry about the health and safety of their unborn child and the possibility that their unborn child may show signs of injury. Below are some frequently asked questions from pregnant women who have been injured in the Charlotte car accidents:
1. Can a Car Accident Cause a Miscarriage?A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that as many as 200,000 car accidents involving pregnant women occur every year. Car accidents are the leading cause of death and injury for pregnant mothers and result in nearly 400 fetal deaths per year. Car accidents also raise the risk of a cerebral palsy diagnosis in newborns by 140%. Unfortunately, car accidents can and do cause miscarriages among pregnant women. While the first trimester is relatively safe when traveling in a vehicle, the risk of injury increases during the second trimester.
2. Can a Car Accident Harm an Unborn Child?Yes. The force of the car accident and the sudden jolt involved can lead to a stillbirth, premature birth, or miscarriage. Any direct impact to the mother’s abdominal wall can cause the fetus harm. In some cases, the fetus will pass away. In other cases, the mother may go into labor, resulting in premature birth. Babies born prematurely are at greater risks of health problems, such as lung issues and cerebral palsy. Babies injured in car accidents while in utero can be born with head injuries, defective brain damage, contrecoup, loss of consciousness, and brain injuries.
3. Will a Hard Jolt Cause a Miscarriage?Unfortunately, car accidents can cause miscarriages. Any forceful trauma to a pregnant mother's body places her at risk for experiencing a miscarriage. The airbag could deploy and put pressure on the mother's stomach. The sudden impact of the seat belt against the mother's abdominal wall can cause life-threatening conditions for the fetus or placental abruption.
4. Can a Fender Bender Injure an Unborn Child?Sometimes people assume that if the car accident was not severe and the mother does not appear injured, the baby will be fine. However, even low impact trauma to the expectant mother’s abdominal wall can cause premature birth or miscarriage. Mothers who have been in car accidents should receive a thorough medical evaluation as soon as possible after the car accident, even if they are not showing any symptoms of injuries. Doctors will probably want to monitor the baby's heart rate to make sure it is normal and check for any signs of injury.
A fetal diagnostic can identify any serious medical problems that the unborn child has, such as placental abruption, bruising, or other life-threatening conditions. Pregnant women who have been in car accidents should pay careful attention to any signs of change with their pregnancy in the hours and days after the car accident. If there is a change in the baby's movement, abdominal pain, or vaginal bleeding, expectant mothers should seek emergency medical care right away.
5. What Should I Do if I am Pregnant and I Have Been in an Accident?If you have been involved in a car accident at any stage in your pregnancy, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible at an urgent care center or in an emergency room. Many pregnant car accident victims suffered injuries that are not immediately apparent at the scene of the accident. You will need to receive treatment by an obstetrician with experience in diagnosing conditions caused by a car accident. If your baby becomes injured in a car accident, you should seek out the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation.
Contact a Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer TodayIf you are a pregnant woman and you have become injured in a car accident in the Charlotte region, you need an experienced lawyer on your side to fight for you. The experienced lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are here to help. We can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule your initial consultation.