Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
If another’s negligence caused a car accident and you were injured, the experience can be emotionally, physically, and financially difficult. If you were pregnant at the time, the experience can be devastating. In the wake of such an occurrence, it’s important to know how to act to protect yourself, your baby, and your financial future.
According to studies, the actions a pregnant woman takes following a motor vehicle collision have a significant impact on the health of her pregnancy. Pregnant women are uniquely vulnerable in any type of collision, even a minor fender bender. Without immediate treatment, trauma from a car accident can result in pre-term labor, hemorrhaging, birth defects, a high-risk situation that did not previously exist, and miscarriage. On a more subtle level, a car accident can result in emotional stress, which can be bad for both mother and baby.
Symptoms to Watch For
If you’ve been involved in a car accident while pregnant, seek immediate medical attention. Although you and your baby may be perfectly fine, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. In addition, if you notice any of the following symptoms following a car accident, contact your physician immediately:
- Loss of consciousness
- Vaginal bleeding
- Leaking of vaginal fluid
- Umbilical cord protrusion (if you believe that the umbilical cord is protruding into your vagina, contact your doctor and immediately get down to your knees, making sure that your buttocks are higher than your head. If your umbilical cord is indeed protruding, this will reduce pressure until help arrives).
Sometimes symptoms don’t present for several days following a car accident. If any of the following symptoms appear days or weeks after a motor vehicle collision, seek medical attention:
- Swelling of the face
- Swelling of the fingers
- Vaginal bleeding
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Constant headaches
- Pain in abdominal area
- Pain in shoulder area
- Fever or chills
- Vomiting not associated with morning sickness
- Change in frequency of baby’s movements
- Painful urination
- Dizziness
Even when the mother has not suffered physical injury, it is still possible for the fetus to be injured. A contra-coup injury occurs when a concussion or shock is produced by a blow or jolt to another area of the body. For example, a violent stopping motion could jostle the baby within the mother’s womb, resulting in a concussion to the baby. If you have been involved in a car accident while pregnant, contact a Boston car accident lawyer today.
If another drivers’ negligence caused you harm, it’s in your best interest to seek the counsel of an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney. In addition to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve, a skilled attorney can help reduce the stressful impact of legal proceedings and dealing with insurance companies at a time when you should be focused on your health, and the health of your baby.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Car Accident Lawyers Serving All of Massachusetts
If you have been injured in any type of accident, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for more than 50 years. If you have been involved in a car accident while pregnant, the situation can be especially complex and emotional. Our knowledgeable, compassionate team of lawyers will shoulder the burden so that you may focus on rest and recovery. It is our goal to eliminate as much stress from you as possible. We will work tirelessly to obtain the compensation you deserve. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. If you’ve been injured while pregnant, seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor can protect the physical wellbeing of you and your baby. We can protect your financial wellbeing. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
