A car crash is severe for anyone. Even minor car accident injuries could worsen, getting those medical expenses up. The case gets worse when the accident involves a pregnant person.
Car crashes can be fatal for both the mother and the unborn child. Since they're physically more vulnerable in this state, serious injuries could affect the baby's health too.
Victims can file car accident claims and seek justice for what happened. Settlement money allows these people to pay for their lost wages, property damage, medical bills, and other damages related to the crash.
What's the average settlement for a car accident while pregnant? Data shows that people can expect around $15,000 for minor cases. Severe injuries may warrant more, but everything depends on the case's outcome.
This page explains how a car wreck can affect pregnant women and why they should seek compensation to pay for their medical bills and other damages.
How Dangerous Can a Car Accident Be for a Pregnant Woman?
A woman's womb already does a great job of protecting a fetus, but it won't be as effective against car crashes. These accidents are known for causing excessive physical and mental trauma, which can lead to serious complications and even miscarriages.
One of the most severe complications is called "placental abruption." If this happens, the placenta gets separated from the uterus, which prevents the baby from getting the nutrients it needs. This can cause permanent brain damage to the unborn child.
In the worst-case scenario, a car crash can cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.
The further the woman is into pregnancy, the more dangerous a car accident will be for them. However, these potential injuries will always be dangerous regardless of the state of the pregnancy.
It doesn't matter if the person doesn't believe they sustained major injuries. They should always seek medical help as soon as possible and talk to a personal injury attorney for legal assistance. Personal injury claims can help victims get the money they need to cover future medical expenses.
What Are Some Warning Signs of Pregnancy Complications?
Cases involving severe head injuries or other noticeable damages may be easier to navigate since the proof is right there for everyone to see. Unfortunately, some defendants may dispute the extent of the plaintiff's alleged injuries to pay less money (or not pay anything at all).
What if the motor vehicle accident didn't leave any noticeable injuries? Here's where the case gets tricky. All victims should seek help immediately to address any underlying issues.
There are a few warning signs to be aware of. Anyone who starts experiencing these symptoms may want to find a doctor fast:
- Loss of consciousness
- Constant headaches
- Urinary problems
- Vaginal discharges
- Changes in fetal movement
- Abdominal pain
- Swelling in the extremities or face
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Bruising in the belly or chest
Every second counts when saving a baby after an accident, so it's crucial to get assistance right after getting into an accident, regardless of whether the injuries seem minor.
What Are Some Medical Costs Associated with Car Accidents?
Pregnant women may have to pay more money for treatment compared to a regular car accident victim. In these cases, the doctors would be trying to save two people, which requires extra work.
Some common costs related to pregnancy complications include:
- Hospitalization
- Medical equipment to monitor the child's heart rate
- Lost income
- Emergency room visits
- In-home services
- Psychological therapy
In severe cases, the doctors may suggest for the baby to be born by a C-section. If this happens, the victim will have to pay for surgery plus recovery expenses.
What Can a Pregnant Woman Expect from Their Car Accident Settlement?
All victims should seek compensatory damages after car accidents. Paying out of pocket for certain expenses is unreasonable, and in some cases, impossible.
Most of the time, the expenses surrounding these accidents pile up fast, which will end up in a bill difficult to pay. Thankfully, a successful personal injury claim may make things easier for the victim and their family.
Victims of a car accident can file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company. They can also file a civil claim directly against the at-fault party. A Nashville auto accident law firm can help these people decide which option works best for them.
As mentioned, victims can also file a wrongful death claim if the accident resulted in a miscarriage or stillbirth. This is valid as long as the mother wasn't at fault for the accident.
If both the mother and the unborn child die after the accident, the family can file a wrongful death claim.
As for compensation, victims can get money to pay for several expenses, including:
Medical Expenses
Car accidents can leave a wide range of injuries on the victim, especially if that person is pregnant. These medical expenses include doctor visits, emergency room visits, C-sections, treatments, and more.
Most of the time, medical bills are high. Putting the financial burden on the victim isn't fair, which is why compensation money is perfect for this.
Lost Wages
Usually, a car accident will prevent the victim from working for a while. Pregnant women may be advised to rest until they're fit to work again.
Whether the victim is the primary provider at home or not, not working for a while will cause the household to lose that income, which can make the recovery process more stressful for everyone.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering refer to the physical and mental discomfort a victim feels after getting involved in an accident. They are referred to as "non-economic damages."
These damages are often more complicated to calculate compared to economic ones. Getting help from a legal expert may make the process easier for the victim.
Property Damage
Even if the accident didn't cause any damage to the victim, it probably damaged their vehicle or other belongings.
It's not fair to pay out of pocket for property damage repairs if the accident wasn't the victim's fault, which is why it's crucial to seek compensation from the at-fault driver.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are meant to deter the defendant from doing similar actions that could lead to another accident later. In other words, they're meant to punish the defendant.
Since punitive damages are related to the defendant and not the plaintiff, there's no guarantee that they will also get money from punitive damages. It depends on the state and what caused the accident.
If the defendant caused the accident because they were driving aggressively or recklessly, the court may award punitive damages too. On the contrary, if the accident was caused by an unrelated factor, they may not get "punished."
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress refers to any mental suffering the victim experiences because of a traumatic event (a car accident, in this case). It has many different symptoms, including:
Hopelessness
Poor sleeping habits
Poor eating habits
Low energy
Substance abuse
Constant guilt
Self-harm
Does suing another person guarantee all of these damages in compensation? Not necessarily.
A professional lawyer will do everything possible to get the victim maximum compensation. They will achieve this by gathering enough evidence, negotiating, and building a solid case.
Of course, compensation will vary depending on how severe the damage was, how many people were affected, and other factors.
The best way to start a legal process is to talk to an attorney and review all the details of the case.
These legal experts will come up with a plan to ensure the victim doesn't have to suffer because of financial struggles while recovering from such a harsh accident.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
Personal injury lawyers can help those with car accident injuries get justice for what happened, especially if the accident caused the death of the unborn child. They can also answer questions like what does no-fault mean in car accident law?
Every car accident case is different, which is why it's crucial to seek help from a legal expert. It's almost impossible to focus on both recovery and suing other people at the same time, so it's always a better idea to leave the case to a lawyer.
A wrongful death claim, for example, is more complicated than a personal injury case. Victims must leave the process to a lawyer if they want to avoid mistakes that get them less money. Sometimes, the at-fault party may argue back saying the accident wasn't their fault, and the insurance company may try to offer a lowball settlement.
In any case, getting as much help as possible is the best way to avoid further mental exhaustion while recovering.
Bottom Line
Even though the average car accident settlement for pregnant women is hard to calculate, a professional attorney may help by giving the victim a rough estimate. They can also consult on situations like an amazon truck hit my car who do I call?
A car accident lawyer takes care of all the case's essentials, including gathering evidence, negotiating with the insurance company, and representing the victim in court if necessary. Those wanting justice after such an event can count on Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys.
These professionals are ready to "go to war" for their clients, so they can rest assured that their car accident claim will be as solid as possible.