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Any type of car accident can be terrifying, especially if pregnant. Due to the heightened risks for an expectant mother and her unborn baby, there are specific steps you should take if you are involved in a collision while pregnant.
Unless you cannot move, get to a safe location away from the road and call 911. Tell emergency responders you are pregnant and whether you have experienced a loss of consciousness or have pain in the pelvic region, are leaking fluid, or experiencing vaginal bleeding. If necessary, you will be immediately transported to the hospital. Police officers will also arrive on the scene and create an accident report that contains facts about the crash and what they believe happened. This report is often critical when proving your case to an insurer and helps establish fault. Ask the officer how you can get a copy of the report.
If emergency responders allow you to remain at the scene, take photos or videos of the damage. Try to capture the following:
If anyone nearby witnessed the car accident, ask them for their name and contact information and if they will make a recorded statement on your phone. The insurance company or your attorney may also need to speak to them in the future. If they do not agree to a recorded statement, ask if they can write down what they saw happened.
See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel you are injured. Because you are pregnant, additional complications can take time to present themselves—for example, internal bleeding, placental abruption, miscarriage, or premature birth. Your physician may send you to the hospital to be observed overnight. If you are eventually sent home, be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and any follow-up treatment recommendations. If you fail to seek medical care right away or delay follow-up care, an insurance company can argue that the accident did not cause your injuries.
Call your insurance company to report the accident. Depending on your coverage, you may be able to file a claim under your policy to pay for vehicle repairs and medical bills after your deductible. They will then seek reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you only have liability coverage, you will have to file an accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurer. However, it is in your best interests to speak to a car accident attorney before talking to another party’s insurer. Insurance adjusters can seem friendly, but they will look for any way to devalue or deny your claim.
After being involved in a car accident while pregnant, you may need time to recover, and obtaining the compensation you need can be challenging on your own. A St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer can handle every aspect of your claim for you and will ensure the insurance company treats you fairly.