Being in a car accident while pregnant can be overwhelming and terrifying. Car crashes place pregnant women at risk and can also threaten the health and safety of their unborn children.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of hospitalized maternal injury morbidity and mortality and traumatic fetal mortality among pregnant women in the United States. (Motor vehicle crashes and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes among pregnant drivers in North Carolina, a doctoral dissertation by Catherine Joy Vladutiu at UNC Chapel Hill published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine)
If you or your unborn baby suffered injuries in a collision someone else caused, you may pursue legal action against the responsible driver’s liability insurance to recover compensation for your losses. However, insurance companies often focus on minimizing payouts rather than providing the full and fair compensation you deserve.
At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., we represent expectant mothers injured in motor vehicle crashes throughout North Carolina. Our experienced personal injury attorneys recognize the heightened stakes with car accidents involving a pregnancy and fight for maximum compensation for both the mother and child. Contact us today for your free consultation to get started.
Injuries and Complications from Being in a Car Accident While Pregnant
A serious car accident while pregnant can result in serious complications that threaten maternal health and fetal development. Physical injuries sustained in collisions can impact pregnant women in unique ways, making prompt medical care and continued monitoring especially important.
Risks to the Mother
Pregnant women face heightened vulnerability to certain injuries due to their bodies’ changes during pregnancy. Common maternal injuries and complications include:
- Placental abruption
- Uterine rupture
- Pelvic fractures
- Internal injuries
- Abdominal trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Premature labor
- Pregnancy loss
Obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine specialists can document how collision forces affected your pregnancy and caused your injuries.
Risks to the Baby
Unborn children can suffer severe injuries or death from the forces involved in serious motor vehicle collisions. Potential fetal complications and injuries include:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Fetal distress
- Brain damage
- Developmental delays
- Oxygen deprivation
- Physical deformities
- Organ damage
- Stillbirth
- Miscarriage
Medical professionals must carefully monitor your pregnancy following any collision to detect complications early. Our law firm ensures that all medical evidence related to fetal injuries receives proper consideration when evaluating your case.
What to Do After a Car Accident While Pregnant
Taking prompt action after a collision protects both your health and your legal rights. Following these steps helps ensure proper medical care and preserves evidence for your car accident claim:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Get checked out by first responders and contact your obstetrician, even if you feel well. Some pregnancy complications may not appear until hours or days after the accident. It’s crucial to make sure the baby is safe and that any injuries you have are treated promptly.
- Report the accident. Contact law enforcement to file an official accident report that documents the collision circumstances, providing essential evidence for your claim.
- Document everything. Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Be sure to also gather contact information from witnesses who saw the accident.
- Follow medical recommendations. Keep all medical appointments, complete any recommended tests, and follow your treatment plan to safeguard your health and document the full scope of your injuries.
- Preserve evidence. Keep all medical records, bills, prescription information, and documentation related to pregnancy monitoring and complications that arose after the accident.
- Avoid insurance statements. Decline to provide recorded statements or sign documents for insurance companies without first consulting an attorney who can protect your rights.
- Contact an attorney. Reach out to experienced legal counsel who handles pregnancy-related accident cases and can begin building your claim immediately.
Prompt medical care remains the top priority after any collision during pregnancy. The experienced car accident lawyers at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. handle legal matters while you focus on your health and your baby’s well-being.
Damages Available for a Car Accident While Pregnant
Under North Carolina law, accident victims who are harmed due to someone else’s negligence can seek compensation for both their financial losses and non-economic damages. Compensation for a car accident while pregnant may include:
- Medical expenses for injuries, pregnancy monitoring, and treatment
- Hospital bills for emergency care and premature delivery
- Costs of specialized prenatal care and neonatal intensive care
- Rehabilitation costs
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment and devices
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity
- Household service costs ordered by your doctors
- Mental health service expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability and permanent impairment
Proving damages requires comprehensive documentation of all harm you suffered. Keep copies of all medical bills and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, including copays and insurance deductibles. Medical records, expert testimony, employment documentation, and other evidence establish the full value of your losses and demonstrate how the collision affected every aspect of your life.
Multiple factors influence the amount of compensation you may receive, including injury severity, treatment duration, long-term prognosis, and the extent of your suffering. We work with obstetricians, pediatric specialists, economists, and vocational experts who provide authoritative testimony about the actual cost of your injuries and any harm to your child. Our attorneys meticulously calculate all current and future expenses to demand compensation that fully addresses your needs.
Seeking Compensation If You Suffered a Miscarriage as a Result of a Car Accident
Suffering a miscarriage due to another driver’s negligence is a devastating experience that deserves just compensation. Pursuing compensation after pregnancy loss requires sensitive handling and thorough legal preparation. A compassionate and experienced car accident attorney can guide you through this process by:
- Obtaining complete medical records documenting the miscarriage and its connection to the accident
- Gathering evidence establishing the other driver’s fault for the collision
- Documenting all medical expenses related to pregnancy loss and follow-up care
- Preserving evidence of emotional suffering and psychological impact
- Calculating lost wages for time away from work
- Identifying all liable parties who share responsibility for the accident
- Demanding compensation that properly accounts for the tremendous loss you have suffered
- Negotiating a fair settlement or presenting your case in court, if necessary
No one should have to go through this devastating process alone. Our firm provides compassionate representation that honors your loss while aggressively pursuing the compensation you deserve for your suffering.
Getting the Help of a Lawyer for Your Claim
Handling your claim resulting from a car accident while you were pregnant without legal representation puts you at a significant disadvantage against insurance companies and their attorneys. Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. provides the knowledge and resources necessary to maximize your recovery. Our team can help you through this challenging time by:
Navigating Complexity
Claims for car accidents while pregnant involve medical and legal issues that most people never encounter in standard collision claims. Our North Carolina car accident lawyers understand how to address fetal injury claims, pregnancy complications, and long-term developmental concerns that require skilled legal strategies.
Combating Insurance Tactics
Insurance adjusters frequently attempt to reduce payouts by disputing a link between accidents and pregnancy complications. At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., we understand and counter these tactics with compelling medical evidence and expert testimony that establishes clear connections between collision trauma and your injuries.
Securing Thorough Documentation
Building a strong claim involving pregnancy complications requires extensive medical documentation and expert analysis that goes beyond typical collision cases. Our experienced Raleigh car accident attorneys gather all necessary evidence, from fetal monitoring records to developmental assessments. We strive to ensure that nothing gets overlooked in your claim.
Valuing Claims
Determining appropriate compensation for pregnancy-related injuries demands careful consideration of unique damages that standard valuation methods may miss. We account for specialized prenatal care, extended monitoring, potential long-term complications, and emotional trauma that expectant mothers experience after collisions.
Negotiating and Litigating for Fair Settlements
Insurance companies frequently offer inadequate settlements, hoping that injured parties will accept quick payouts without recognizing the full value of their claims. Our attorneys negotiate aggressively for fair compensation and will take your case to trial if insurers refuse reasonable settlement offers.
You shouldn’t be responsible for absorbing costs that aren’t yours to bear, especially when the accident wasn’t your fault. We pursue all available compensation sources to maximize your recovery.
Call Our Compassionate Car Accident Lawyers in Raleigh, NC for Help Today
We recognize that accidents that happen while you were pregnant create unique physical, emotional, and financial challenges that require sensitive handling and aggressive advocacy. Your recovery matters to us. Our dedicated legal team is fully committed to holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they caused.
With over 100 years of combined experience, the car accident attorneys at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. possess extensive knowledge and proven strategies. We have recovered over $150 million in settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims. Our proven track record demonstrates our commitment to securing substantial compensation for injured clients throughout North Carolina.*
Our client reviews and testimonials consistently praise our compassionate approach and dedication to seeking favorable outcomes for the people we represent. As former client Carolyn Jones shared:
“From the very first conversation with David, I knew I was in good hands. Whenever I had questions or concerns, Karen and David were both quick to assist me. Not only are they top-notch in their profession, they’re also down-to-earth and compassionate. I am very happy with the outcome that they were able to provide me with. I highly recommend this group for your legal representation. You will be glad you did.”
Call Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. at 919-661-9000 for your free case evaluation with a compassionate car accident attorney in Raleigh, NC. We provide honest assessments of your case and explain all available legal options for pursuing the compensation you deserve.
*Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
About the Author
Joseph R. Baznik
Joseph Baznik is an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks P.A. who specializes in workers' compensation and personal injury. Joseph speaks both English and Spanish fluently. He is licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
