Determining a pregnant car accident victim’s average settlement is impossible because each person involved in a crash experiences different losses. Your settlement amount will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your injuries, what harm your unborn baby experiences (if any), your total medical bills, the amount of income you lose, the property damage you experience, and the extent of your pain and suffering.
If you were involved in a motor vehicle crash while pregnant, our car accident lawyers can investigate the incident and determine what losses you qualify to recover. We can also negotiate with the liable party’s insurance carrier on your behalf to ensure you don’t settle for less compensation than you deserve.
What Losses Do Pregnant Car Accident Victims Typically Experience?
Pregnant car crash victims often experience similar losses to other accident victims, with a few unique damages possible if their unborn baby experiences harm. If you suffered injuries in a car crash while pregnant, you may qualify to receive financial compensation for the following economic and non-economic damages:
Accident-Related Medical Expenses
Pregnant accident victims can experience many of the same physical injuries as anyone else, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage. However, they may also experience medical issues that are unique to pregnancy, such as:
- Placental abruption
- Premature labor
- Miscarriage or fetal death
- Pelvic fracture or uterine trauma that affects the baby
Unborn babies can also experience direct injuries in a car accident, such as broken bones or brain damage. In some cases, they may be disabled for their entire life—if they survive.
Regardless of which injuries you or your child experienced, you may be able to recover a settlement or judgment that covers all current and future medical bills related to the accident.
Professional Losses Due to Accident Injuries
You may experience significant lost wages after a car accident, especially if the baby experiences trauma and your doctor recommends going on bed rest until delivery.
Your financial award could cover all professional losses you experience if you miss work due to the accident and its aftermath, including reduced earning capacity if you must scale back on your work or quit your job permanently to care for a disabled child.
Car Repairs and Other Property Damage
You may be able to recover the costs of repairing or replacing your car and any other belongings damaged in the crash, such as a new car seat you purchased and installed in the vehicle in preparation for your baby’s birth.
Accident-Related Pain and Suffering
Car accidents can be traumatic for anyone, but they can be even more upsetting for pregnant victims who experience physical and emotional distress related to their baby’s health. You may deserve compensation for:
- Physical pain
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Diminished quality of life
- Anxiety or fear related to your unborn child’s life
- Grief associated with fetal loss
Wrongful Death Damages
Tragically, some car accidents can cause a pregnant victim to give birth prematurely, leading to the baby’s death. Miscarriages or stillborn births are also possible results of auto accident trauma.
Some U.S. states allow parents to recover wrongful death damages for unborn fetuses, while others don’t. It may depend on how far along you were in your pregnancy or whether the baby is born alive. We recommend consulting with our wrongful death lawyers to weigh your options if you are facing this incredibly difficult challenge.
What to Do After Being Involved in a Car Accident While Pregnant
Even minor accidents can cause issues for pregnant people and their babies, so you should always seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. You can go to the hospital in an ambulance or schedule an urgent appointment with your OB-GYN so they can perform an ultrasound and other tests to see if the baby is healthy.
If you receive emergency treatment at the scene, tell the EMTs that you are pregnant so they can ensure you receive proper care. You should also follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to ensure no further harm comes to you or your baby.
In addition to seeking prompt medical care and following up on your doctor’s recommendations, we urge you to:
- Report the accident to the police
- Document the scene by taking photos or videos on your phone, if possible
- Collect contact information from eyewitnesses
- Keep copies of all your medical records, documentation of lost wages, and correspondence related to the accident
- Contact an auto accident attorney to learn about your options for filing a claim or lawsuit
What Evidence Is Needed to Support Your Car Accident Claim?
As soon as you hire a car accident attorney, we start gathering evidence of your damages. Such evidence may include:
- Medical records from before the accident showing you were progressing through a normal, healthy pregnancy
- Medical records from after the collision that demonstrate the complications and injuries you and your baby sustained
- Opinions from medical experts
- Documentation of your professional damages, such as paystubs and employment records
- Evidence of your pain and suffering, such as mental health assessments, your journal, or statements from loved ones
- Property damage repair or replacement estimates
Your lawyer will also gather evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence to prove they owe you compensation. This evidence may include:
- Eyewitness statements
- The police accident report
- Photos or videos
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
Your personal injury attorney will work hard to prove the accident wasn’t your fault and that you deserve fair compensation for all the harm you experienced.
Pregnant Car Accident Victims Can Get a Free Consultation From Ged Lawyers
Our personal injury law firm was founded in 1995, and we focus on providing exceptional legal service for every client. If you and/or your unborn baby were injured in a recent car accident, Ged Lawyers can help you understand what compensation you may qualify to recover. We can also lead your claim from start to finish so you can focus on your health and the health of your child.
Each state sets strict deadlines for car accident lawsuits, so we encourage you to take action now. Contact our legal team today for a free initial consultation. You’ll pay us nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
