What To Do If You Are Pregnant and in a Car Accident

Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can be a frightening experience for anyone, but if you are pregnant, the crash may become horrifying as you worry about your baby’s health. Even if another vehicle rear-ends yours, and the impact is negligible, the pressure of the seat belt across your body can be a cause of concern, explains a car accident lawyer from a law firm like Tuttle Law, P.A.. To help you through this experience, use these tips about what to do if you are pregnant and in a car accident.

Complications

If paramedics are not called to the scene, seek medical help right away. Possible complications can be caught early and remedied quickly by a qualified physician. Signs you need to look for include:

Spotting or abdominal pain
Vomiting or loss of appetite
Swelling in fingers, legs, or face
Painful headaches

You may not feel any of these symptoms the day of the accident, so pay attention for at least a week. If any of the signs appear, no matter how minor, contact your OBGYN immediately. You should also call a personal injury attorney to help with insurance communication and settlement issues.

Risk

No matter how minor the accident was, there are some other serious risks that can result from the other driver’s negligent actions. Not only will the stress of the accident cause your hormones to fluctuate, but the changes in your mood can also cause high levels of norepinephrine, cortisol, and epinephrine to enter the fetus. These hormones have been proven to negatively affect the growing life, even in the first trimester. For two or three weeks after the accident, look for signs of:

Bleeding
Early labor
Severe backaches
Lack of baby’s movement

Each of these indicators could threaten the life of your unborn baby, and you should seek medical attention right away. The solution may be as easy as bed rest for a few days, but you may also require hospitalization if the baby is in distress.

Loss

Sometimes the unthinkable happens, and your baby is born too early to survive because of the trauma of the accident. Whether you experience a miscarriage, or your baby is stillborn because of the collision, your attorney can help you seek coverage for pain and suffering, medical bills, and mental trauma.

Help

The complications you suffer during a vehicle accident can have long-lasting implications in your life. Turn to a lawyer to help you get compensation for your suffering. You don’t have to face this traumatic event alone.