Your Legal Options After A Car Accident While Pregnant

Pregnancy should be a wonderful time in a woman’s life.

The first forty weeks before the birth of your beautiful baby are full of thrilling (and some less thrilling) milestones. It is when you spend time with just you and your developing baby.

The last thing any pregnant woman needs is to be involved in a car accident, but what happens if they are? 

If you are involved in a car accident while pregnant, below are some of your legal options that are worth exploring:

Injuries

Car accidents pose a specific set of risks for pregnant women and some of the most common injuries include placental abruption, amniotic rupture, and fetal trauma. 

Even low-speed accidents can result in long-term damage. Delayed symptoms, such as decreased fetal movement or pain should never be ignored. 

It is essential to seek medical assistance, no matter how minor the accident may seem. Your legal team can help you recover any hospital expenses.

Medical Bills

Many American states allow pregnant women to file personal injury claims for medical expenses, pregnancy complications, and emotional distress caused by a car accident if they are not more than 50% responsible.

Parents may even file for a wrongful death claim for their unborn child should the accident result in the loss of the fetus.

Contact a reputable legal team such as Foster Law Firm in Sugarland for help submitting claims.

Insurance Negotiation

If your insurance company denies your claim or comes back with a low settlement offer, you do not have to accept. You are not out of options.

Ask an experienced personal injury lawyer to negotiate on your behalf.

Negotiation is typically the first step. Your lawyer can submit additional documentation including detailed medical records, expert opinion statements, and more, to strengthen your claim.

They will communicate directly with your insurance company so you do not have to, and if necessary, file a bad faith claim.

Mediation and Arbitration

If negotiation does not work, the next step is mediation.

Mediation is a process where both parties meet with neutral third-party mediation to attempt to resolve a dispute with a mutually agreeable settlement.

Your personal injury lawyer will present your case and consult on your behalf.

Arbitration is another alternative dispute resolution method where a neutral third party hears evidence and arguments from both parties and makes a binding decision on the dispute.

If neither of these two options work, filing a lawsuit is the next step and the court will decide the outcome.

Do Not Wait

Being involved in a car accident when you are pregnant is scary, especially if you feel like you are all alone.

Your health and your baby’s health must come first. Hire a reputable lawyer to take care of the legal stuff while you focus on healing and enjoying the rest of your beautiful journey to motherhood.

To End

After a car accident while pregnant, the first step is to seek medical attention. Thereafter, reach out to a legal professional to secure fair compensation if your case warrants it.