SKIP TO CONTENTIf you’ve had a car accident while pregnant, you’re probably rightfully furious at the person who hit you. Car accidents pose serious dangers to pregnant women and their unborn babies. In some cases, unborn children can suffer serious injury and lifelong disabilities, including birth defects.
Below, an Oklahoma car accident lawyer explains how pregnancy affects your car crash claim.
Why Are Car Accidents Dangerous During Pregnancy?
Car accidents are bad enough when you’re not pregnant, but they’re even more dangerous when you’re carrying an unborn child. Pregnant women and their babies can develop complications such as:
- Abdominal swelling
- Organ damage
- Vaginal bleeding
- Back and neck injuries
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Placental abruption
Accidents can sometimes cause pregnant women to miscarry and lose their child. Even if the child lives, they might suffer permanent disabilities.
How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Claim?
Pregnancy affects your claim because you’re not just seeking compensation for yourself but also for your unborn child, the fetus. As you might expect, determining a fair settlement in this situation can be quite challenging.
Here’s how pregnancy might affect your claim:
- You may give birth prematurely, and the newborn might have to spend weeks or months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
- Your doctor might order an emergency C-section to save the baby. C-sections have a longer recovery time than vaginal birth.
- As a pregnant woman, you’re more likely to require emergency care and hospitalization.
- You might develop severe emotional distress, especially if you suffer a miscarriage because of the accident.
- Your doctor might ask you to stay in bed to avoid pregnancy complications, which means you may have to miss work.
- You may need in-home care if you can’t tend to household chores while recovering.
Damages You Can Recover After Having an Accident While Pregnant
Your Oklahoma car accident lawyer will help you calculate your damages. They might include:
Medical expenses, such as emergency care, the cost of preterm delivery, NICU stays, and fetal monitoring equipment
- Lost wages if you can’t work because of the crash
- Property damages
- Permanent disabilities for you and/or your baby
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
A judge might also choose to award you punitive damages. Judges only award punitive damages when the defendant (the person who hit you) has acted in a malicious or extremely negligent manner.
For instance, if the driver purposely slammed into the back of your car and caused you to go into early labor, the judge would probably award you punitive damages. If the driver hits you with the knowledge that you’re pregnant, your award might be even higher due to the risk you and your fetus experienced.
What To Do If You Have an Accident While Pregnant
The first thing you should do is see a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can evaluate you and your baby for injuries. If either of you are injured, you can use your medical treatment records as proof for your claim against a medical malpractice lawsuit.
You should also collect evidence to help your car accident attorney in Oklahoma prove damages. Evidence may include:
- Pictures and video footage of the accident
- Statements from your doctor
- Copies of accident-related bills and proof of lost wages
If you haven’t hired an Oklahoma auto accident lawyer yet, now is a good time to do so. Your Oklahoma car crash attorney will fight for a settlement covering all your damages.
Legal Representation for Car Accidents in Oklahoma
Accidents during pregnancy can be extremely serious, and the value of your damages may be astronomical. For the fairest possible settlement, it’s smart to hire a car wreck lawyer in Oklahoma, such as Bryan Garrett PLLC.
For a free consultation with an Oklahoma car accident lawyer, call (405) 725-2661.
