Comprehensive Guide to Car Accident Lawsuits Involving Pregnant Women in PA
Why Seatbelts Are Essential for Pregnant Women and How Car Accidents During Pregnancy May Lead to Serious Injuries in Pennsylvania
It would be difficult to overstate how important it is for pregnant women to buckle up when they travel in a car or pick-up truck. Seat belt safety is of vital importance to the mother and to the unborn child—in Pennsylvania and everywhere else. There are many good reasons to wear your seatbelt. These reasons apply doubly for pregnant women who are carrying another life. We will delve into an explanation of this topic in greater detail here. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident while pregnant, call our team of car accident attorneys today at (215) 337-4915 to discuss your options for compensation.
Pennsylvania Seat Belt Law and Pregnancy Safety
In Pennsylvania, the law says that everyone in a car must wear a seat belt, and this includes pregnant women. Thus, pregnant women legally must wear a seat belt while driving or riding in a car in Pennsylvania. The law in Pennsylvania requires everyone in a vehicle to wear a seat belt, and there are no special rules that excuse pregnant women from this. Wearing a seat belt is important for keeping both the mother and baby safe. Wearing a seat belt the right way is really important for protecting both the mom and the baby if there’s an accident. To wear a seat belt correctly during pregnancy, the lap belt should go below the belly, fitting snugly across the hips and pelvic bone, and the shoulder belt should be placed between the breasts and to the side of the belly. This helps protect both the mother and baby if there’s an accident.
The Safety Features of Modern Seat Belts for Expecting Mothers
Modern seat belts are designed to keep pregnant women safe by reducing risks during a car crash. These seat belts have a lap belt and a shoulder belt, spreading the force of a crash across the chest and pelvis, instead of the abdomen. Many seat belts also let you adjust the shoulder strap so it sits comfortably between the breasts and off to the side of the belly, avoiding pressure on the stomach. Features like pre-tensioners and load limiters tighten the belt quickly during a crash to hold you in place and then allow some give to prevent too much force on your body. Special devices can help keep the lap belt low across the hips and the shoulder belt comfortably across the chest, which is safer for pregnant women. Additionally, car seats are shaped to support your body and help the seat belt work better, keeping you in the safest position. These features in modern seat belts work together to protect pregnant women and their babies by reducing the risk of injury in a crash.
Specific Dangers Pregnant Women Face in Car Accidents in PA
Pregnant women face special risks in car accidents because of the baby and the changes in their bodies. Here are some of the ways that they might be impacted:
Abdominal Trauma: The abdomen is more at risk during pregnancy because of the growing baby. Direct impact or sudden pressure can harm the uterus and the baby.
Placental Abruption: This is when the placenta detaches from the uterus wall before birth. A car crash can cause this, leading to serious problems for both the mother and baby.
Premature Labor: The trauma from a car accident can cause early labor, leading to a premature birth, which has its own health risks for the baby.
The psychological trauma and physical impact of an accident can cause a pregnant woman to go into early labor. This leads to premature births, and babies born prematurely can face big health challenges.
If the pregnant woman has an impact with a dashboard, steering wheel, or seat belt not worn correctly, she can suffer uterine injury. She can begin to bleed internally and suffer complications. The baby too can be harmed by direct impact as a result of the crash, either with trauma to the head or bones. This can happen even in minor accidents.
With the force of impact, the amniotic sac can rupture, which increases the risk of infection.
The accident can cause invisible internal injuries that bleed dangerously. The trauma can cause shock in the mother, which reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the baby. This can cause fetal distress.
These risks highlight why it’s important to wear seat belts properly and to see a doctor immediately after any car accident during pregnancy, even if there are no obvious injuries. If an accident does happen, no matter how minor it is, they should get immediate medical attention so any injury can be treated right away. Proper medical checks can help ensure the health and safety of both the mother and the baby.
Recovering the Compensation You Deserve After a Pregnancy Car Accident in Pennsylvania
These are the factors that need to be considered when discerning damages after a pregnant woman is involved in a car accident:
Physical Injuries to the Mother:
Check for injuries causing immediate harm, like internal bleeding, broken bones, or bruises. Think also about how these injuries might cause long-term problems like pain and problems being able to move around.
Impact on the Baby:
Doctors need to look for any harm to the unborn baby, like broken bones or distress in the womb. They need to watch for the placenta possibly coming loose because this would affect how the baby gets food and oxygen.
Necessary Medical Care:
In addition to the above, there are other considerations, like evaluating the cost of hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and special care for the mother and the child. These costs can extend into the future if there are ongoing problems that require more treatment.
Loss of Income:
There’s also the cost of lost wages if the mother can’t work immediately after the accident. And what if she can’t work as much and make as much money in the future because of what happened?
Psychological and Emotional Effects:
There’s also an emotional cost to being involved in an accident that needs to be considered. The mother may feel prolonged sadness, fright, or stress, which can lead to more serious problems with feelings of hopelessness, depression, and acute anxiety.
A Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Safety and Legal Steps Following a Car Accident in PA
Immediately after a car accident, a pregnant woman should take several important steps to ensure her safety and protect her rights:
- First, she needs to check for injuries to herself or others and call for medical help. In fact, she should seek medical attention even if she feels okay. It’s so important that she gets checked out for injuries that aren’t obvious, like internal injuries, internal bleeding, or placenta detachment. All of the above can be very dangerous for the mother and the baby.
- The mother needs to tell the medical staff that she’s pregnant, in case it’s not yet obvious, so they know what risks they are facing in caring for her. She needs to follow their advice, whether it be for additional tests or monitoring, because this will ensure her health and her baby’s and also strengthen her case later.
- The mother should document the accident scene by taking photos of the damage and any visible injuries. Ask witnesses and the other driver for their contact info. Get a copy of the police report.
- Let your car insurance company know about the accident – provide details without admitting fault.
- You need to consider arranging a consult with a personal injury lawyer, like the ones on our team, who have experience handling cases involving pregnant women. We can help you navigate insurance claims and seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages.
- Keep your eye on your own health, watching closely for any new symptoms. Report these concerns right away to your doctor. Keep records of all medical visits, treatments, and expenses related to the accident and your pregnancy. This will strengthen your case later.
Connect with our Northeast Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Firm to Seek Compensation if You’re a Pregnant Woman Injured in a Vehicle Accident in Pennsylvania
If you’re pregnant and injured in a car accident, our accomplished Pennsylvania accident lawyers can provide crucial support. First of all, we’ll evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process. Our attorneys will investigate the accident, gather evidence (photographs of the scene, interviews with witnesses, medical records, etc.) and see who is at fault. Also, our lawyers will handle negotiations with insurance companies to make sure you’re fairly compensated for medical costs and any lost wages. We will fight to get you the maximum compensation for expenses, plus for the pain and suffering you’ve endured, plus they will calculate future medical expenses, such as long-term care or loss of ability to bring in an income.
Our attorneys will give you peace of mind, so you can focus on your health and your baby’s health while they handle the technicalities of your case. All in all, our knowledgeable lawyers can make a significant difference to your future, and your baby’s. We will advocate for you so you get the support and compensation you deserve after a car accident during pregnancy. Call (215) 337-4915 to discuss your case. The consultation with our attorneys, who are highly respected in personal injury law and serve the entirety of Pennsylvania, including areas such as Warminster, Langhorne, Warrington, Doylestown, Buckingham, Newtown, Yardley, Northampton, Bucks County, and Northeast Philadelphia, is free.