If you’re in a car accident while pregnant in Greenville, SC, you need to know what to do. Our experienced Greenville car accident lawyer at Bobby Jones Law explains what to do after a car accident during pregnancy. Let’s discuss what to watch for and what you may be owed in compensation.
What To Do Immediately After a Car Accident While Pregnant in Greenville
If you’re in a car accident while pregnant in Greenville, protect your health first. That means several things:
- Preventing additional harm: As you wait for help to arrive, stay away from traffic and other dangers.
- Telling responders: Tell the 911 operator and first responders that you are pregnant.
- Get medical attention: Get a medical evaluation, even if you think you’re not hurt.
- Watch for complications: Know that injury symptoms may be delayed. Get follow-up care if symptoms arise.
- Follow medical care instructions: Follow medical advice, including rest and activity limitations, as needed.
- Keep records: Track medical appointments, symptoms, prescriptions, and related activity. These records can help you care for your health.
In addition to steps to protect your health, there are other things to do after a car accident while pregnant:
- Report the accident: Comply with car accident reporting requirements. Get a copy of the police report.
- Track financial losses: Keep receipts and track financial losses relating to the accident.
- Report to insurance: Tell the insurance company that an accident occurred.
- Involve an attorney: Work with an attorney early so that you have experienced guidance to document your claim.
Why Pregnant Car Accident Victims Must Seek Medical Attention Even Without Symptoms
A car accident may be especially dangerous to a pregnant woman. In a collision, the seatbelt and steering column can put significant pressure on the stomach, even at low speeds. In addition, the body may absorb crash forces differently while pregnant.
When you seek prompt medical attention, fetal monitoring may detect distress, even if the mother isn’t experiencing symptoms. An urgent care or emergency room healthcare professional is trained to examine a pregnant mother who has been in a car accident. If they find complications, they can provide timely medical care. If they don’t find any complications, you can be assured that your child is well.
Warning Signs of Pregnancy Complications After a Car Accident in SC
Warning signs of car accident pregnancy complications may include:
- Bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Lack of baby movement
- Fluid discharge
- Fainting, feeling dizzy
- Rapid heartbeat
- Contractions
- Trouble breathing
- Fever, chills
Remember that pregnancy complications can occur with other car accident injuries. If you feel unwell or have any unusual symptoms, seek urgent medical attention.
What Are the Most Common Pregnancy Injuries Caused by Car Accidents?
Common pregnancy injuries caused by car accidents include:
- Placental abruption: It is the most common cause of car accident fetal death. It is when the placenta detaches from the uterus. A detached placenta cannot supply the fetus with oxygen and nutrients.
- Uterine rupture: Tearing of the uterus muscle wall. While it is rare, it is almost always fatal. Pressure to the abdomen from the seat belt, steering wheel, or instrument panel may cause uterine laceration or rupture.
- Direct fetal injury: An unborn child may suffer blunt force trauma. A child in the third trimester is at the biggest risk. They may experience brain injury, organ laceration, or other tissue trauma.
- Nutrient deprivation: If the mother’s injuries cause blood loss or shock, the body may limit blood flow and oxygen to the fetus.
- Premature labor: A car accident while pregnant can cause premature labor. This is labor before 37 weeks of gestation.
- Amniotic fluid embolus: When blunt force trauma tears the placental barrier, causing amniotic fluid to enter the maternal bloodstream.
Who Is Liable for Your Injuries When You’re Hit While Pregnant in South Carolina?
Liability for injuries to pregnant women in South Carolina car accidents is determined by legal fault. Fault may be based on a traffic violation or other dangerous driving behavior. Intentionally causing a collision is not required; most claims are based on negligence.
What Damages Are Pregnant Car Accident Victims Entitled to Recover in Greenville?
There is a legal concept called the eggshell skull rule. It means that when someone is responsible for a car accident, they owe the victims compensation for their losses, whatever they might be. Even if someone else’s losses might have been less, the victim has a right to claim for their actual loss.
For a pregnant woman, that means they can claim for injury to themselves and to their unborn, viable child, related to the pregnancy. It doesn’t matter if their damages are above average because of their pregnancy. What matters is that they receive fair compensation.
A pregnant car accident victim may claim economic and non-economic damages resulting from the accident. An experienced attorney can help you value your case.
Can You Recover Compensation for Your Unborn Child’s Injuries in SC?
Yes. If a child is injured in a car accident and is born alive, parents may claim for the child’s personal injury.
The Fowler v. Woodward court acknowledged that it may be impossible to determine the child’s injuries in utero. While this poses a logistical challenge, it doesn’t alter the fact that a cause of action exists.
What Happens if a Car Accident Causes a Miscarriage or Stillbirth in South Carolina?
A wrongful death action can be brought for a fully developed, stillborn child. Fowler v. Woodward, S.C. Supreme Court (where a mother and unborn child died in a car accident). The Fowler court said that South Carolina recognizes a viable child as a person. Because the South Carolina legislature allows wrongful death claims for the loss of a person, someone who is born stillborn may be the subject of a wrongful death claim.
A nonviable stillborn fetus is not an independent plaintiff in a wrongful death claim. Crosby, Jr., v. Glasscock Trucking Co., Inc., S.C. Supreme Court, Appealed from Greenville County, West v. McCoy, S.C. Supreme Court (denying recovery for a non-viable fetus, when negligent infliction of injury caused fetal death). However, maternal injury is compensable.
Contact an Experienced Greenville Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been in a car accident while pregnant in Greenville, contact Bobby Jones Law. See how an experienced lawyer can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Call or message us now.
