Car accidents are traumatic for everyone involved. They lead to serious injuries, both physically and mentally. What do you do if you were pregnant at the time of an accident? Pregnancies generally make women more vulnerable when in an accident. This guide will help you figure out what to do after an accident.
Immediate Medical Attention
After an accident, a pregnant woman should seek immediate medical attention. While this advice is true for anyone involved in an accident, it is even more true if you are pregnant. You may not be able to visibly see that there are any problems with yourself, much less with your baby. Once you seek medical attention, it’s time to call a lawyer.
Greater Injury Risk
After a car accident, pregnant women have greater risks than those who are not pregnant. A physical trauma in a car accident can lead to slowed development for the baby, miscarriages or even preterm labor complications. When the mother is under high amounts of stress, this can also lead to serious complications with the baby. On top of the physical damages that a car accident can cause, but the emotional damages are higher due to the stress of harming the baby. In addition, any stress that the mother is under can negatively affect the health of the baby. After a car accident, it is normal for doctors to want to monitor the woman closely. When it comes to medical bills and compensation, a pregnant woman may require more compensation than another driver.
Longer Wait Times
Normally, the recommendation after a car accident is to file a claim as soon as possible. When you are pregnant, you may want to wait until you deliver your baby. You may not know the extent of the damages until after your baby’s delivery. If you or your child has significant issues and it is due to the car accident, you do not want to have filed a claim where these important charges do not make it to the claim. When you are pregnant, you will also have to go to more doctor appointments and this can lead to even more lost wages.
While you may not want to settle until after the baby is born, you do not necessarily want to wait before you speak to a lawyer. If you have a car accident lawyer at your side, you can discuss your options. Consult with a car accident lawyer today about how to handle your case.