consult
X

Request a Free Consultation

Please fill out the form below and we will be in touch soon.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

Blog Home

FL Car Accidents: What If You’re Pregnant?
Posted By:

FL Car Accidents: What If You're Pregnant?

 

Car accidents are traumatic for anyone, but they can be especially traumatic both physically and psychologically for a person who is pregnant.

 

Those who are involved in car accidents when pregnant have special considerations to think about, since it’s been shown that car accidents increase a pregnant person’s risk for complications, even if the accident and the injuries are minor.

 

So, what should you do if you’re pregnant and in a car accident? And what options for recourse do you have in Florida? Read on to find out.

 

Pregnancy Post-Crash List

 

It’s good to be prepared – which is why any person who is pregnant should keep a mental checklist to quickly assess whether or not they’re OK in the wake of a car accident.

 

After an accident, get to someplace safe as soon as possible. Make sure to stay aware of any physical symptoms that may signal that you need emergency medical care. This can include things like:

 

  • Losing consciousness
  • Headaches
  • Swelling
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Issues with balance
  • Blurry vision

You may be worried about fetal injuries, too. If you are bleeding, then you should seek emergency care immediately and call 911.

 

If you aren’t worried about medical issues in the wake of an accident, then you still should see your doctor as soon as possible to make sure everything is stable. Pregnant people, just like anyone else, can develop symptoms of injuries later, but it’s also possible that the doctor may catch something overlooked.

 

Pregnancy Complications After an Accident

 

Even minor car accidents can lead to serious injuries for both the baby and the parent. Serious complications can include but are not limited to:

 

Stillbirth or Miscarriage

 

A fetus can experience trauma from an accident that leads to death. If the pregnancy is less than 20 weeks along, then it may cause a miscarriage. After 20 weeks, fetal death and stillbirth can occur.

 

Trauma to the Head

 

Even without direct physical contact, a fetus can suffer an injury to the head that impacts the brain. Remember, a fetus doesn’t have developed muscles in the neck to navigate sudden changes in momentum, so decelerations in a car accident can lead to major injuries.

 

Problems with the Placenta

 

The placenta is the organ that feeds the baby through the walls of the uterus, supplying important nutrients and oxygen. Damage to the placenta can be disastrous for a fetus and the pregnant person, causing it to separate from the wall of the uterus and induce massive bleeding.

 

Premature Labor

 

Pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks, but a baby can be safely delivered from 37 weeks onward. Before this, a car accident can put stress on the body that leads to premature labor, which may then end in premature birth, putting the health of the baby at risk.

 

Davie Car Accident Attorney

 

How to Pursue Damages

 

Florida may be a no-fault insurance state, but that doesn’t mean you lack recourse if you have pregnancy complications caused by an accident. If serious injuries are sustained, then a personal injury attorney can help you to get the compensation you need for medical bills that may exceed what your insurance pays. The at-fault driver can be taken to court to help cover those costs, so don’t assume it all has to fall on you.

 

 

About the Author:

Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all kinds of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and named one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators. Mr. Winston is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2021 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite,” recognized by Expertise as one of the 20 Best Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys, named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015-2021, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida for 2015-2017 and 2019-2021.

 

Categories
AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

SUPER LAWYERS 10 YEARS

TOP RATED PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER IN DAVIE FL
2011-2023

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

SUPER LAWYERS FLORIDA TOP 100

FLORIDA TOP 100 LAWYERS
2015-2017, 2019-2023

Super Lawyers magazine features the list and profiles of selected attorneys and is distributed to attorneys in the state or region and the ABA-approved law school libraries.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

SUPER LAWYERS MIAMI TOP 100

MIAMI TOP 100 LAWYERS
2015-2017, 2019-2023

Super Lawyers magazine features the list and profiles of selected attorneys and is distributed to attorneys in the state or region and the ABA-approved law school libraries.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

FLORIDA TREND’S

FLORIDA LEGAL ELITE
2011-2023

Now in its 13th year, Florida Legal Elite presents a prestigious roster of attorneys chosen for recognition by their peers.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

MILLION DOLLAR ADVOCATES FORUM
LIFETIME MEMBER

THE TOP TRIAL LAWYERS IN AMERICA ®

ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS GROUPS OF TRIAL LAWYERS IN THE UNITED STATES. MEMBERSHIP IS LIMITED TO ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE WON MILLION AND MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

EXPERTISE BEST CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS 2023

BEST CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS IN FORT LAUDERDALE
2016-2023

Our goal is to be a hub where qualified experts can connect with people to share their knowledge, experience, and skills.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

EXPERTISE BEST PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN FORT LAUDERDALE 2023

BEST PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN FORT LAUDERDALE
2016-2023

Our goal is to be a hub where qualified experts can connect with people to share their knowledge, experience, and skills.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

MARTINDALE-HUBBELL AV PREEMINENT

AV PREEMINENT
2016-2023

For more than 130 years, Martindale-Hubbell has been evaluating attorneys for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards through a Peer Review Rating system. Prior to the 1887 edition of Martindale’s American Law Directory, which was the first publication to provide such ratings to attorneys, there was no way of truly knowing if the lawyer you were considering to do business with was trustworthy, ethical, or skilled in the legal field.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

AMERICAS TOP 100 HIGH STAKES LITIGATORS 2022

2018-2023

Selection to America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® is by invitation only and is comprised of the nation’s most exceptional trial lawyers for high stakes legal matters. For initial consideration, an attorney must have successfully litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter (1) with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or (2) with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake (i.e. bet-the-company litigation valued in excess of $2,000,000).

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

LAWYERS OF DISTINCTION

LAWYERS OF
DISTINCTION

Lawyers of Distinction members have been selected based upon a review and vetting process from our Selection Committee. After a thorough review of credentials, attorneys are nominated by our Selection Committee. Lawyers do not pay for this nomination. These potential candidates who meet the criteria of our screening process have demonstrated a high degree of peer recognition and professional competence

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

AVVO

TOP ATTORNEY PERSONAL INJURY
10.00
SUPERB

Avvo was founded in Seattle, Washington by tech-savvy lawyer Mark Britton to make legal easier and help people find a lawyer.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

LEAD COUNSEL

LEAD COUNSEL
RATED

Since 1997, the Lead Counsel Rating has been available for free to attorneys who have demonstrated the following three requirements:

Professional Experience
Peer Recommendations
Spotless Record

REVIEWS

LEAVE US A REVIEW

CASE RESULTS

See More Results