Auto accident lawyers in Augusta, Georgia, always advise crash victims to seek medical attention immediately after an accident. This is great advice for many reasons. First, urgent medical care will help to provide evidence for your compensation claims negotiations. It will also ensure that no complications arise from your crash injuries.
When we talk about auto crash injuries, many people think about broken bones, TBIs, etc. While those injuries create devastating conditions, we fail to consider the unique risks that pregnant women face in such accidents. Auto crashes involving pregnant women make up some of the most complicated and unfortunate car injury cases ever.
If you’re a pregnant woman in a car crash, it’s normal to feel frightened about the health of your fetus. In this article, we’ll discuss the possibility of an accident hurting your unborn baby. We’ll also guide you on who’s liable for your injuries if the crash hurts your pregnancy.
Common Pregnancy Complications After an Augusta Auto Crash
The following are common pregnancy complications that may arise after a car accident:
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Miscarriage
Miscarriage is a sudden pregnancy loss before week 20. The sudden trauma a woman faces in a car crash can put her at risk of a miscarriage. Women going through a miscarriage require urgent medical attention.
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Fetal Trauma
According to a report, motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of blunt trauma in pregnancy. They account for about 50% of all cases. Fetus trauma leaves the fetus at risk of developing injuries as it grows.
Direct fetal trauma means that the unborn baby has sustained direct physical injuries. This injury may affect the baby’s head and cause fetal death.
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Placental Abruption
Placental abruption refers to situations where the placenta detaches from the uterus wall before delivery. It’s one of the common causes of trauma-related fetal death in pregnancy. It’s usually caused by trauma due to auto crashes and falls.
Placental abruption requires urgent medical treatment as it’s a life-threatening condition. Usually, the mother will have to undergo an emergency cesarean section to keep the baby alive.
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Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding occurs inside the body instead of outside. This condition can be fatal, especially in pregnant women. Placental abruption is one common cause of bleeding in pregnancy.
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Maternal Shock
Injuries from a vehicle accident can make a pregnant woman go into hypovolemic shock. That means she has lost lots of blood, and her heart isn’t pumping enough oxygenated blood to the tissues. This harms the fetus as it isn’t receiving enough oxygen, and the condition can be fatal.
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Early Labor and Premature Birth
Auto accidents can force a pregnant woman into labor long before the expected delivery date. In such cases, the woman delivers a premature baby who is at risk of sustaining birth injuries.
To avoid hurting a fetus, pregnant women should try not to drive, if they can. However, if they must be in a car, they should use their seatbelts. This reduces the risk and severity of injuries to the mother and unborn child if an accident happens.
Who’s Responsible for My Accident-Related Miscarriage?
In Augusta, the at-fault party handles all the liability in the crash. At-fault persons are negligent people who caused the accident due to drunk driving, speeding, etc. The compensation you’ll receive may include medical bills, lost wages, etc.
You may get non-economic and punitive damages for your loss in a personal injury lawsuit. While this may not bring your child back, it may help to reduce your financial burdens. Contact your attorney for tips in determining who is responsible for your injuries.
Post-Accident Symptoms to Look Out For
If you experience the following symptoms after a car crash, they may be an indication of pregnancy complications:
- Bleeding or spotting
- Abdominal pain
- Vagina discharge
- Frequent and painful urination
- Swelling in face and fingers
- Changes in how the baby moves or kicks
- Vomiting that isn’t related to morning sickness
- Unconsciousness
- Fever, chills, and headaches
Get Maximum Compensation for Your Loss Right Now!
Every pregnant woman and expectant mother looks forward to the day they’ll hold their bundle of joy. But, unfortunately, this may not be the case after a car accident in Augusta. Auto crashes can cause miscarriage and harm the unborn baby in different ways. If you’re in this situation, an Augusta personal injury attorney can help.
Our Augusta auto crash lawyers at Ted A. Greve and Associates have extensive years of experience handling personal injury cases. We can help you fight for justice and secure maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact us today.
