Menu
Call
Contact
Blog
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube

Call for Free Consultation

Toll Free 866-769-0123

866-769-0123
Menu
Kaire & Heffernan
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Firm Overview
    • Mark Kaire
    • David R. Heffernan
  • Practice Areas
    • Bicycle Accidents
    • Birth Injury
    • Construction Accident
    • Car Accidents
      • How Safe Is Your Miami Route?
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Motel and Hotel Accidents
    • Negligent Security
    • Nursing Home Abuse
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Personal Injury
    • Premises Liability
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Spinal Cord Injury
    • Stroke Malpractice
    • Truck Accidents
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
    • Workers Compensation
    • Wrongful Death
  • Results
  • Testimonials
  • Media
  • Safety Reports
    • Aventura Hospital
    • Baptist Hospital of Miami
    • Doctors Hospital
    • Kendall Regional Medical Center
    • Mount Sinai Medical Center
    • North Shore Medical Center
    • Palmetto General Hospital
    • South Miami Hospital
    • University of Miami Hospital
  • Video FAQ
  • Blog
  • Español
  • Contact Us
  • Menu Menu
  • American Board of Trail Advocates
  • Best Lawyers
  • 9.6David Roy Heffernan
  • David R. Heffernan
    Rated by Super Lawyers


    loading ...
  • Million Dollar Advocates Form
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Form
  • Florida Legal Elite
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys
left arrow right arrow

What to Do When Injured in a Car Crash While Pregnant

September 14, 2017/in Car Accidents /by Mark Kaire

The stories of mothers involved in car accidents while pregnant are numerous. In some situations, such incidents have tragic endings. In others, they bring long-term risk to the unborn child and the mother.

When Traumatic Accidents Occur

Recently, a 19-year-old woman named Kerriann Elders was involved in a car accident as the passenger in her friend’s vehicle. She was six months pregnant at the time of the accident and lost her unborn baby. Obviously, there is no way for Elders to replace that child, and the pain will be long lasting for both parents and the extended family.

For those situations where the child does not die, he or she could face ongoing and incurable medical ailments. In these situations, the damage to the child can occur from the mother being hit in the abdomen, being ejected from the vehicle, or even from the strain of the seat belt across the abdomen.

If you’ve been involved in any accident like this, to any degree, your first step should be to visit your medical care provider, most likely an emergency room for an exam. Do so even if you feel fine and have no visible signs of injury.

Each year, as many as 5,000 fetal deaths occur as a result of car accidents. Many more women face complications from such accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

What Complications May Occur from Car Accidents While Pregnant?

A variety of incidents can occur. Even minor accidents can cause a child to become at-risk for health or mental complications down the road. A few examples include the following:

  • Placental Abruption
    • In this condition, there is a separation of the placenta from the lining of the uterus. When severe placental abruption occurs, it can be fatal in about 15 percent of all cases, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
  • Preterm Birth
    • In some situations, a significant accident can cause the child to be born immediately. Preterm birth can occur any time a child is born prior to the 37th week of pregnancy. The Mayo Clinic says that both long-term and short-term consequences can occur. This includes breathing and heart problems and can lead to more complex factors such as brain hemorrhages. In the long term, these babies may develop cerebral palsy, impaired cognitive skills, chronic health complications, hearing and vision problems, and behavioral concerns. These are just some of the potential birth injuries that can occur.

Signs of Potential Concern

Many factors play a role in what type of outcome can occur if an unborn child is impacted during a car accident. If you’ve been in a car accident, even a mild fender bender, you should get in to see your doctor. It is important to do this especially in situations where you have outward symptoms including:

  • Abdominal pain or discomfort
  • Vaginal bleeding or discharge
  • A painful need to urinate
  • Severe headaches
  • Changes in how frequently your baby moves
  • Dizziness or a loss of consciousness at any time during or after the accident
  • Fever development
  • Swelling in the mother’s extremities

It is essential to consider that you may not have any symptoms of complications. Follow-up with your doctor about the proper course of action to take.

Should You Call Your Attorney After an Accident?

It is always advisable to call your attorney as soon as you’ve been involved in an accident, especially if you believe another person is to blame. Simply, in a situation like this, your priority is the baby’s well-being and your own. But, when you are okay, it is time to talk to an attorney to find out what your legal options are.

You may be able entitled to compensation if another driver caused your accident. This may help you with:

  • Losses for the child
  • Coverage for medical bills related to the incident
  • Coverage for the baby’s preterm birth, if that occurs as a result of the incident
  • Most other costs you incur as a result of the incident
  • And, in some cases, pain and suffering

But, these are just initial losses you may face. They do not go far enough in some situations. For example, when there is an incident in which the unborn child is hurt, he or she may suffer oxygen deprivation. Even for a short time, this can cause a condition such as a brain injury or lead to mental or physical health complications of other forms. And, of course, it is devastating to the family.

What to Do Right Now

Kaire & Heffernan LLC provides comprehensive support and guidance to individuals suffering from the negligence of others. There is no way to know what the long-term impact of a car accident during childbirth will be to your child. However, you need to ensure you have financial protection to meet your child’s long-term needs.

Contact us right away for a free consultation to discuss your case and to learn more about all of your legal options. Call us for a free consultation for personal injury in Miami at 866-769-0123.

Mark Kaire

Mark Kaire has been practicing law in Miami for nearly 15 years. He is dedicated to helping the injured people of Miami receive compensation. Mr. Kaire has been blogging on Miami’s legal issues for 4 years.

Share this entry
  • Share on WhatsApp

Do you have a case?

Get your question answered

Recent Posts

  • Miami Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
  • Miami Bicycle Accident Lawyer
  • Miami Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
  • (no title)
  • Safety Tips During Holiday Shopping

Categories

  • Bike Accidents
  • Birth Injury
  • Car Accidents
  • Construction Accidents
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Negligent Security
  • News
  • Nursing Home Abuse
  • Personal Injury
  • Workers Compensation

How can we help?

Do you have a case?

Get your question answered
 

Kaire & Heffernan, LLC

999 Brickell Ave, PH 1102
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: 305-372-0123  
KaireHeffernan_map
  • Firm Overview
  • Practice Areas
  • Results
  • Testimonials
  • Video FAQ
  • Blog
  • Español
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 1999 - 2021. Kaire & Heffernan - All Rights Reserved. | Sitemap | Disclaimer
 
Does Auto Insurance Cover Me in a Bicycle Crash? Progressive Insurance Lawsuit Process and Settlements