What to Do if You’re in A Car Accident While Pregnant in Colorado
Last updated on: October 9, 2019Call (800) 863-5312 to Speak with Car Accident attorneys for Free
Car accidents can be stressful and scary situations, even if they involve just a minor fender-bender. However, if a passenger or driver of one of the vehicles is pregnant, the situation can become truly terrifying. Even in a seemingly minor accident, critical steps should be taken as soon as possible. Some accidents may cause no harm to the mother or her baby, but it is important to treat every possible injury seriously. As such, it is always recommended to see a doctor immediately after an accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident while pregnant, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation with our Colorado car accident attorneys.
Seek Medical Attention
If you have been involved in a car accident while pregnant, no matter the circumstances, your top priority should be the health and well-being of you and the child. No matter how minor the injury may appear at the time, even simple injuries may create larger problems further down the road. For this reason, consider reaching out to a medical professional as soon as possible after an accident to get a medical evaluation.
Common Injuries and Side-Effects
Car accidents, no matter how severe, present a unique set of problems for pregnant women. Pregnant women may face injuries that other drivers or passengers may not. Common injuries or side-effects that may arise if you have been involved in a car accident while pregnant include:
- Severe pain in the abdomen
- Vaginal bleeding
- Contractions
- Swelling of fingers
- Painful urination
- Headaches
Harm to Child After a Car Accident
It is possible that the child can suffer an injury even though the mother felt no physical effects. Car accidents may also cause placental abruption. If this occurs, it may interrupt the blood flow to the baby. Such an injury can cause internal bleeding, premature labor, hemorrhaging, or even miscarriages. Car accidents may also cause brain damage to the fetus. Such injuries are incredibly serious and may cause serious complications further down the line.
No matter the case, you should certainly consider reaching out to your doctor to examine your baby and to make sure everything is being handled appropriately.
Document
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident while pregnant, it is incredibly important to document every aspect of the accident. This includes documenting information gathered at the scene of the accident itself as well as medical treatment or repair estimates that occur after the accident. When documenting the accident, gathering as much evidence as possible should be your primary goal. Be sure to keep all of this information in a central location as well as readily available. By taking this step, you may make further steps easier should you decide to seek compensation.
Record Details of Accident
While on the scene of the accident itself, it is very important to record the details of the accident. This may include taking pictures of the scene of the accident, photos of any injuries, and pictures of any damage that your vehicle sustained. If you are unable to document the scene of the accident due to injuries, consider reaching out to a car accident attorney who may be able to visit the scene and record the details of the accident for you.
It may also prove beneficial to keep a record of all the events that occurred stemming from the accident itself. This can include doctor visits, vehicle repair estimates, or any missed work. Be sure to keep all of this information as it may be needed should you decide to seek compensation.
Gather Witness and Police Information
If there are any witnesses to the accident, consider reaching out to them to try and get their perspective of what happened. If you are unable to get a statement from them at the time of the accident, or if they are unable to stick around, consider getting their contact information and following up with them at a later point. It is also important to reach out to the police who arrive at the scene. During most car crashes, police prepare crash reports going into detail about what happened. This information can prove to be incredibly important should you decide to seek compensation in your case.
File a Claim and Seek Compensation
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident while pregnant, it is important to remember that you may be able to seek compensation for any injuries sustained or any damage caused by the accident. The compensation that may be available to you is usually dependent on a variety of factors, and different areas of compensation may only be available to certain victims. Common areas of compensation for a car accident while pregnant that may be sought may include:
- Loss of earnings (present and future)
- Medical bills (present and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages
Car accident injury claims can be confusing and incredibly intricate. However, if one of the parties involved was pregnant, the case can become even more complicated. For this reason, if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident during pregnancy and is considering moving forward with a pain and suffering claim, consider reaching out to an experienced car accident attorney to see what options may be available to you.
Contact Zinda Law Group
Getting into a car accident during pregnancy can truly be a terrifying experience, but one very important thing to remember is that you never have to go through the legal process alone. During pregnancy, the primary concern should be the health and well-being of the mother and her child. The experienced attorneys at Zinda Law Group may help ease the legal burden by fighting for you in every step of the process.
Call Zinda Law Group today for a completely free consultation with an experienced and compassionate Colorado car accident attorney at (800) 863-5312. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us anything.