Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident is more detrimental to a woman who is pregnant than to anyone else. Not only does the woman need to worry about her own safety, but there are higher risks associated with the fetus after an accident. If you’re pregnant, it’s important to know the risks of car accidents, what you should do if you get in an accident and how to keep yourself as safe as possible.
Risks in Car Accidents
When a pregnant woman gets in a car accident, a number of injuries and problems can occur depending on the severity of the collision. Even minor collisions can cause health hazards. In the first trimester, women are generally safer because their abdomens have not yet grown, but in the second and third, the risk of these complications is higher:
- Placental abruption
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth
- Still birth
- Physical injuries to the fetus
- Hemorrhaging
The faster you are going at the time of your accident, the greater chances you have of developing one of these serious health issues. The chances of losing the baby altogether is the greatest at higher speeds.
Steps to Take After a Collision
If you’ve been in a car accident, make sure to call the police and report the incident to your insurance right away. Check yourself and others for injuries and get medical attention immediately afterward. Even if you were only in a small crash, you’ll want to make sure there are no hidden injuries to yourself or the fetus, which is why seeing a doctor within a day or two of the accident is recommended. If you are able, take pictures of the accident and exchange information with the other driver.
Ways To Decrease Risk
There are several ways you can decrease your risk of getting injured in a car accident. The first is simply not to drive yourself. The steering wheel can present an enormous hazard to pregnant women, especially those in their later trimesters. The passenger side is much safer. However, if you do need to drive, sit back as far as is safe from the wheel. Adjust your seatbelt so that the lap belt is below the abdomen (or close, but not directly over your protruding stomach). If you’ve been in an accident while pregnant, you may face difficulties filing a claim because of the extra risk to your baby. Talking to a car accident lawyer in Des Moines, IA from a firm like Johnston Martineau, PLLP may be able to help you to see what you can do to get compensated.