You had a wonderful time at the baby shower and every day you are getting more excited about having your new child. As you approach the intersection, you are thinking about where you plan to put all the new baby stuff as you wait for the light to turn green. You drive the car out into the intersection when an approaching car tries to beat the red light because they are late for a restaurant reservation. Their car slams into the driver's side of the vehicle causing your car to spin out of control and hit a light pole.
The first thing to do is to get immediate medical attention. While you may feel fine, your baby could have sustained injuries. Medical providers will perform an obstetric exam as well as an ultrasound -- among other tests. They will check the fetus and placenta for any separation from the uterus, called placenta abruption, that could cause hemorrhages, premature delivery or a miscarriage. They will also monitor for any vaginal bleeding, contractions or decreased fetal movement. When you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor or midwife will set up additional appointments to continually check your health and the health of the baby for any future complications.
Since 2015, there was an average of 3,000 pregnancies that were lost due to the result of a car accident. One of the major issues pregnant women in cars is that the seat belt design can feel uncomfortable, making you not want to wear one. In addition, many women incorrectly think a seat belt increases the risk of harm to themselves or their child. However, wearing a seat belt can help prevent serious injuries by keeping you in the seat. So you should always wear one to avoid serious injuries to yourself and your child.
Despite the advantages of modern technology in medicine, it is possible that fetal injuries sustained in a car collision may not be evident until immediately after birth. Therefore, it is generally not advisable to settle your case before birth. Settling the claim early will mean you are accepting their compensation amount as-is. You will not be able to get another settlement amount later on if the baby has significant issues during delivery or after they are born.
By knowing the full extent of injuries that may have been inflicted on your child, you can ensure that they get the necessary medical treatment for additional complications, including medical care that may be required in the future.
You should never consider resolving a personal injury claim on behalf of your child until you have spoken with an experienced personal injury lawyer. It is imperative that you understand the medical care your child needs now, and what they may need into the future. You will never have another chance to secure your child’s future medical care needs, so only do so after speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer that understands the importance of future medical needs, and the peace of mind that comes with accounting for those needs now. Obtaining Legal Help
Being pregnant is both an exciting and stressful time for parents. The last thing you want to deal with is being in a car accident. Due to the range of circumstances that can happen to you and the baby after the accident, it is always advisable to seek out legal representation. A personal injury attorney that understands the complexities of future medical care for injured children can best evaluate the details of the accident to determine who is at fault, help to negotiate a settlement claim with an insurance company, and provide you legal advice regarding how to recover damages for medical care that will be required in the future.
Here at the Cagle Law Firm, we represent clients in Austin and throughout Texas when they are injured in a car accident. If you are pregnant and in an accident, you need to understand your rights and your child's rights before attempting to handle the case on your own. Our attorneys can evaluate your particular case and provide you with the best legal advice so you can take the appropriate course of action for your claim. Contact our office today or call our attorneys at (512) 371-6101 to schedule a meeting.