Pregnant Women Face More Risks in Car Accidents

While pregnancy can be a wonderful time, it can also be extremely stressful and dangerous. Pregnant women, for instance, face additional risks if involved in a car accident. Tragically, these problems can prove fatal. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that car accidents result in more than 5,000 fetal losses every year.

Placental Abruption 

Car accidents are dangerous for anyone, but women and unborn children are particularly vulnerable, especially to certain injuries, including placental abruption. This can occur when the violent impact of a traffic accident causes the placenta (which supplies the baby with nutrients and oxygen) to detach from the uterine wall, which can result in serious complications for both the child and the mother. For the mother, placental abruption can cause shock (resulting from blood loss), kidney failure, and blood clotting problems, while the baby could suffer from restricted growth, oxygen loss, and premature birth.

Preterm Labor 

The stress and trauma of a car crash can also sometimes trigger preterm labor, which means that a woman goes into labor before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm labor can lead to premature birth, which in turn, comes with potential health risks for the baby, like low birth weight, breathing difficulties, vision problems, and underdeveloped organs. Children who are born early also have a higher risk of developmental problems and learning disabilities.

Uterine Injury

 The trauma that accompanies car accidents can also cause uterine ruptures and lacerations in pregnant women. These kinds of injuries occur only during pregnancy because the uterus itself is so much larger, extends outside of the pelvic cavity, and is also filled with fluid. The most common uterine injuries include complete transection, ruptures, and lacerations. Tragically, all three types of uterine injuries are likely to result in fetal loss.

Direct Fetal Injury 

Pregnant vehicle occupants are also at risk of suffering direct fetal injury, which often occurs when the abdomen is compromised by pelvic fractures or a uterine rupture. Direct injuries to a fetus typically involve the head, which is the largest part of the body and so offers the biggest target. These kinds of skull fractures are more likely to occur when a baby’s head is pressed against the maternal pelvis or spine by the seat belt, dashboard, or steering wheel. Chest, abdominal, spine, and upper extremity injuries to the fetus can also occur.

Protecting Your Right to Financial Compensation 

If you were injured in a car accident while pregnant, you will likely be incurring not only medical bills for your own treatment, but also for the treatment of your child. These kinds of cases tend to be particularly emotional for the parties involved, but accident victims do not need to shoulder their burden alone. At Boone & Davis, our experienced Florida car accident attorneys can help handle the legal aspects of your case, while you focus on your recovery. To learn more about seeking compensation for your accident-related losses, please call our office at 954-566-9919 and set up an appointment today.

Sources:

 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3400205/

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/placental-abruption/symptoms-causes/syc-20376458