A car accident is a traumatic event for anyone, but for an expectant mother, it carries a unique and terrifying dimension of risk. The health and safety of your unborn child become the immediate, overwhelming priority. Even in what seems like a minor collision, the forces involved can have devastating consequences that are not immediately obvious.

The medical community has long studied the severe risks involved. Research published in the prestigious American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology details how motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of serious trauma during pregnancy. The study highlights unique injuries that can occur, proving that these are not standard personal injury cases. They require a deep understanding of both the law and the specific medical complications involved.

The Hidden Dangers of a Crash During Pregnancy

While a mother’s body is designed to protect a growing fetus, the violent forces of a car crash can overcome those natural defenses. The scientific research points to several critical risks:

• Placental Abruption: This is one of the most common and dangerous outcomes. The shearing forces of an impact can cause the placenta to tear away from the uterine wall. This can cut off the baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients and cause severe internal bleeding for the mother. It is a leading cause of fetal death after a crash and can occur even if the mother has no visible injuries.
• Direct Fetal Injury: While less common, a direct impact from a seatbelt or steering column can cause catastrophic harm, including traumatic brain injuries to the fetus.
• Uterine Rupture: The force of a collision can, in rare cases, cause the uterus itself to tear or rupture, which is almost always fatal for the fetus and life-threatening for the mother.
• Maternal Shock: Even if the mother’s injuries seem minor, her body’s response to trauma can be to divert blood flow away from the uterus to protect her own vital organs. This can deprive the fetus of oxygen and lead to serious developmental problems or death.

Because of these unique risks, any car accident during pregnancy—no matter how minor it seems—should be treated as a medical emergency.

Why Your Legal Case is Different

After an accident, an insurance adjuster’s goal is to settle the claim for the lowest amount possible. They are not equipped to understand the profound and lifelong consequences of a crash on a pregnant woman and her child. This is not a standard car accident claim; it is a highly specialized case that may involve a wrongful death claim for the loss of a fetus and a traumatic brain injury claim for the child, should they survive with deficits.

An experienced attorney knows how to build a case that accounts for every aspect of your loss:

• Calculating the Full Range of Damages: Your claim must include not just your own medical bills and pain and suffering, but also the potential for future medical costs for a child born with injuries, the loss of companionship, and the immense emotional distress and psychological trauma of fearing for your child’s life.
• Working with Medical Experts: We collaborate with obstetricians, neonatologists, and other specialists to scientifically link the events of the crash to the specific injuries suffered by both mother and child.
• Fighting for Justice: We understand that this is more than a legal claim; it’s a fight for accountability. We ensure that the negligent driver and their insurance company are held responsible for the full, devastating scope of the harm they have caused.

If you have been in an accident while pregnant, you cannot afford to navigate this complex and emotional process alone. You need an advocate who not only understands personal injury law but also appreciates the unique medical and emotional trauma you and your family are enduring.

Please contact Manoukian Law for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case with compassion and expertise.