Finding out your pregnant is often a wonderful and life-changing moment as you begin to think about things you have to start avoiding such as hot tubs, sushi, and even soft cheese. The last thing you’re probably thinking about is driving and how hazardous it can be.
Having a car accident while pregnant is a serious matter and is sadly more common, with 70,000 car crashes involving a pregnant person every year in the US alone. A study in Canada has also discovered the expectant people are more likely to have a vehicle accident while pregnant compared to non-pregnant people, with 7.7 crashes per 1,000 women being involved in a crash during their second trimester according to Reuters. So, what could possibly cause pregnant people to have more car accidents than non-pregnant people?
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and InjuryLaw Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients who have been in a car accident while pregnant. Our offices are conveniently located in Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person or over the phone or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like finding a nearby doctor who can help you. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people.
Why Pregnant People Seemingly Have More Accidents
According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, pregnancy causes “diverse physiologic and lifestyle changes” that may contribute to increased driving errors. This doesn’t mean that pregnant people need to let their partners do all the driving for the last three months, in fact, the authors of the study say that “young adult men are even more dangerous behind the wheel.”
The study explored other factors that often happen during pregnancy that might impact the ability to concentrate when driving such as hormonal changes that cause fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and stress.
Reduce The Risk for Injury When Pregnant & Traveling
It’s not all bad news for pregnant people, as they can reduce their risk of having a auto accident while pregnant by following some basic safety precautions all drivers should follow:
- Obey stop signs
- Observe speed limits
- Minimize distractions—and never use a handheld cell phone while driving
- ALWAYS wear seatbelts or shoulder belts
There are now some helpful guides for pregnant people that advise about where seat belts can be placed and how to ensure their driving position is safer. Some advice includes taking off any extra layers before belting up, not placing shoulder belts under their arms, and moving the seat back far away from the dashboard or steering wheel.
What To Do If You’ve Had An Accident While Pregnant
If you have an auto accident while pregnant, sadly the more serious the injuries you suffer, the greater the risk to the unborn child. Pregnancy can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of injuries as medical procedures such as CT scans aren’t recommended.
Some serious warning signs of a possible injury in a car accident while pregnant include:
- Premature contractions
- Abdominal pain
- Leaking blood or fluid
- Miscarriage
- Preterm labor
It’s especially important for a pregnant person who has been in an accident to seek medical treatment right away, even if you don’t feel injured or have minor injuries and think they’ll heal on their own.
Accident Attorneys For Pregnant People
Our experienced accident attorneys have represented many pregnant people over the years, including one case where a pregnant woman was rear-ended whilst stopped, by a car traveling at 40mph. Our client suffered a concussion and cervical strain and a few days later experienced a miscarriage. This was a tragically distressing case for our attorneys and the client involved. If you’ve been in accident while pregnant, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in your area in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
