Getting into a car accident while pregnant can cause concerns about your and your unborn child’s health. If either of you suffered harm, you may have the legal right to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
At Brown & Crouppen, our compassionate car accident lawyers understand the uncertainty that comes with being in an accident while carrying a child. Let us take some of the stress off your shoulders. When you turn to us, we’ll explain your legal options and guide you through your next steps.
What Are My Legal Rights After a Car Accident?
Missouri is an at-fault insurance state when it comes to car accidents. That means you have the right to file a claim for compensation from the party who caused the accident if you or your child were injured. This compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, lost earning potential, pain, suffering, emotional distress, and more.
If the accident caused a miscarriage, you may also have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Missouri law. See Connor v. Monkem Company, Inc., Missouri Supreme Court (1995). A wrongful death claim is also an option if your child initially survived the accident in utero but died as a result of their injuries after birth. The damages available in a wrongful death claim for an infant, born or unborn, may include funeral expenses, medical expenses, and even the estimated income the child could have earned had they lived a normal lifespan.
Risks Involved if You Were in a Car Accident While Pregnant
Car accidents can result in a wide range of pregnancy complications depending on their severity, including:
- Placental abruption – A placental abruption is a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before birth. This can cause heavy bleeding and deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients. Placental abruptions occur in up to 40 percent of pregnant women who are severely injured in a car accident.
- Preterm labor – The trauma from a car accident can sometimes trigger premature labor. Doctors can often stop preterm labor from progressing with medical intervention, such as bed rest and medications to relax the uterus.
Uterine rupture – In rare cases—less than 1 percent—the force of a car accident can cause a uterine rupture, which often requires an emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia to prevent the death of the mother and child. Car accidents can cause a miscarriage in these cases.
How a Collision While Pregnant Could Affect Your Unborn Child
Many of the pregnancy complications resulting from a car accident, including placental abruption and preterm labor, can cause fetal hypoxia. This condition occurs when the baby doesn’t receive enough oxygen before birth.
Fetal hypoxia can cause mild to severe brain damage, depending on the amount of time the baby remains without sufficient oxygen. Developmental delays, cerebral palsy, growth restriction, and behavioral problems are all potential outcomes of poor fetal oxygenation.
The fetus can also suffer direct physical trauma from a car accident, including fatal skull fractures. Fetuses can also suffer fractures to the legs, arms, and other bones in a car accident.
Do I Need To See a Doctor After a Low-Impact Car Accident?
Yes. It’s wise to see a doctor after a car accident of any severity, as some injuries take time to develop symptoms. Quick diagnosis and documentation of your car accident injuries can help prove a direct link between the accident and injuries.
Seeing a doctor after even a low-impact car accident is extremely important if you’re pregnant. You’ll want to get your doctor’s advice to prevent future complications and to monitor your baby’s well-being.
You should also consult an experienced personal injury attorney after seeking medical attention, regardless of the accident’s severity. Our car accident attorneys can evaluate your case and help you secure compensation for any economic and non-economic damages you and your baby may have suffered.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident While Pregnant?
Factors like the severity of the car accident and the harm you and your baby suffered will determine your settlement amount. In one case, our attorneys secured a $250,000 settlement for a client injured in a low-impact car accident while pregnant. The best way to find out how much money you can expect from a settlement is to discuss your case with a skilled car accident attorney.
We're Here for You After a Car Accident While Pregnant
Pregnant mothers and their unborn babies deserve justice when negligent drivers injure them in car accidents. You have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver for the injuries and losses you and your child sustained. However, because defendants and their insurers will prioritize their pocketbooks over your well-being, you need a skilled legal advocate to fight for full and fair compensation.
Brown & Crouppen has advocated for injury victims since 1979. We’re ready to put that experience to work in your favor. If you’ve been injured in a car accident while pregnant, contact us online or call (800) 536-4357 for a free consultation.
