Getting into a car accident is usually an upsetting experience, but it’s even more frightening and upsetting when you are pregnant. You have not only your own life and well-being to be concerned about, but also the life and health of your baby.
It’s extremely important to get good medical care for yourself and for your unborn child after an accident. The actions you take after you have been in a California accident while pregnant can make a big difference in the outcome of your pregnancy.
Risks to Pregnancy from a California Car Accident
You might think if you are in a minor car accident, you don’t have to worry about your pregnancy, but it isn’t necessary to be in a bad crash or to have a blow to your abdomen for there to be damage to the pregnancy. Sudden stopping to try to avoid a crash can jolt you enough to hurt your baby.
A car accident increases the risk of complications such as:
- Hemorrhaging or internal bleeding
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth
- Placental abruption
- Cesarean section
Damage to your body from the accident can cause your pregnancy to change to a high- risk category. Emotional duress can also make it hard for you to heal and this can cause additional strain on your pregnancy.
Immediately After the Accident
If there is a chance that you have sustained any type of injury after a car accident, call 911 right away. Some immediate signs of problems that could be a threat to your pregnancy include:
- Pain in your abdomen or pelvic area
- Vaginal discharge or bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
It’s always a good idea to be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident. This is even more important when you are pregnant. Pay attention to your body in the days and weeks following an accident and call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following:
- Vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge
- Persistent vomiting
- Swelling of extremities or face
- Dizziness
- Increased headaches, especially headaches that are constant or severe
- Pain in your abdomen
- Change in the amount your baby moves
- Fever or chills
Your doctor will need to closely monitor both you and your baby for the duration of your pregnancy after you have been in an accident. If your doctor determines your pregnancy is now categorized as high-risk, you may need to see a doctor who is an expert in the field of high-risk pregnancies.
Getting Legal Advice After a Car Accident While Pregnant
After you have been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another driver while you are pregnant, it’s a good idea to talk to an expert in the field of personal injury law. Injuries you or your baby sustain in the car accident may impact the rest of both of your lives. For example, if your pregnancy is categorized as high-risk because of the accident, this could increase the cost of your medical care.
Devastating effects of a car accident while pregnant include the emotional impact that it has on you, as well as the possibility that you have lost wages or are suddenly unable to work for the rest of your pregnancy. If your baby is premature because of the accident, there could be long-term medical concerns. These are unfortunate experiences that you are having through no fault of your own, and you deserve to be compensated.
The expert lawyers at Megeredchian Law want to help you obtain the compensation that you are entitled to. Contact us using the form on this page and one of our lawyers will get back to you very soon.