Setareh Law
January 14, 2024
Being pregnant can complicate a car accident claim by introducing legal and medical considerations into a case that non-pregnant crash victims do not face. An accident can cause injuries to the mother that endanger the pregnancy, trigger pregnancy-specific health complications, and inflict independent injuries to the fetus in utero. A claim for damages against the party at fault for a car crash may involve proving and accounting for all of these potential harms.
If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a car accident while pregnant, you may have the right to receive significant compensation from at-fault parties and insurance companies. But to maximize your recovery, you’ll need an experienced car accident injury attorney to handle your claim. Here’s a review of how pregnancy can affect your car accident claim and the role an experienced lawyer from Setareh Law can play in getting you the money you deserve.
Potential Injuries and Health Complications When a Car Accident Victim is Pregnant
Every car accident is unique, and the types and severity of injuries that mothers and fetuses can suffer as a result of one vary greatly. However, any accident holds the potential to introduce serious threats to a pregnancy that would not exist but for the crash.
In addition to the direct injuries that pregnant women might suffer, a car crash can also trigger pregnancy-specific health complications. These conditions include:
- Premature birth
- Miscarriage
- High-risk pregnancy conditions like preeclampsia
- Placental abruption, where the placenta detaches from the uterus prematurely
- Stillbirth
These conditions can develop immediately following a crash, or they may take several days or even weeks to manifest.
Potential Injuries to a Fetus in a Car Accident
Unfortunately, unborn babies are also at risk of severe injuries in a car crash. Potential fetal injuries might include:
- Intrauterine hypoxia, or insufficient oxygen supply to the fetus, resulting in brain damage
- Direct trauma, leading to injuries like fractures or traumatic brain injury
- Premature birth complications
In some cases, these injuries can lead to the death of the fetus or to long-term health and developmental issues after the baby is born.
Your Rights to Compensation After a Car Accident While Pregnant
In the unfortunate event of a car accident during pregnancy in California, the party at fault, and their insurance companies, may have liability for your damages. In California, you generally have the right to seek compensation for all injuries and pregnancy-related complications resulting from a car accident. That typically includes payment for your:
- Medical expenses, including any additional medical treatment or care beyond what would normally be needed for an uncomplicated pregnancy
- Loss of income if you are unable to work because of your injuries or pregnancy complications.
- The significant emotional anguish of sustaining injuries in a car accident that threatens your and your baby’s health
The amount of damages you can expect to receive depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries and the financial resources of the party at fault.
If your unborn child suffers injuries due to the car accident or is delivered prematurely and thereby suffers from health problems or disabilities after birth, you may also have the right to seek damages from at-fault parties and insurance companies on your child’s behalf. A member of the team at Setareh Law can evaluate your circumstances and advise you about the compensation you may seek.
Contact an Experienced California Car Accident Lawyer at Setareh Law Today
Pregnancy can add significant complexity to a car accident claim. In a crash, a pregnant mother may sustain injuries and encounter pregnancy-related health complications. Her unborn baby may also suffer direct harm. The mother and child deserve compensation for those damages, and California law entitles them to claim it from anyone whose careless or reckless actions triggered the crash.
However, obtaining full car accident compensation is never easy. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a California car accident while pregnant, you need a skilled lawyer in your corner to ensure at-fault parties and insurance companies pay for the trauma they inflicted on you and your baby. The experienced, compassionate team at Setareh Law can help. Contact us online today or call (310) 659-1826 for a free consultation about your rights and options. We also speak Spanish.
