Victims who bring personal injury lawsuits after being involved in a car accident typically do so after suffering physical harm – whether that means injuries from which a person can fully recover with treatment and rest, or catastrophic injuries that leave victims with long-term or life-long setbacks.
While most people think there has to be a major crash in order for there to be a personal injury case, even minor accidents in which a victim suffers little to no physical harm can give rise to a claim.
This is particularly true of low-speed or low-impact collisions involving pregnant mothers.
Low-Speed Auto Accidents & Pregnancy
As we’ve discussed on a previous blog, car accidents are a major concern for pregnant mothers and their babies, and they can increase risks of complications such as:
- Internal bleeding / hemorrhaging
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth
- Placental abruption
- Emergency C-section
Although higher speeds and more severe crashes can greatly elevate the risks of serious injuries, even minor wrecks involving little to no property damage and little to no visible injuries can be enough to harm a pregnancy. This may include:
- Minor “fender benders” at low speeds
- Parking lot accidents
- Low-speed rear-end collisions
- Low-impact crashes in congested traffic
- Vehicle run-offs / road departure
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Car Accident During Pregnancy?
Even if a vehicle appears undamaged after a crash, it does not mean a mother or her baby will be.
Minor trauma from low-impact crashes can result in serious pregnancy-related problems, which is why doctors will often want to conduct a thorough assessment of mother and child, and often continue to monitor their health. This predicament in and of itself can result in a range of physical, financial, and emotional damages for mothers and families.
Examples of issues pregnant mothers and their families may face following a low-speed crash include:
- Doctor-ordered bed rest
- Missed work / loss of income
- The need to file a disability / FMLA claim earlier than expected, which may result in less available paid family leave after the birth of a child
- Increased medical monitoring during the remainder of the pregnancy
- Emotional anguish, anxiety, and fear about the health of a baby
Given the nature of these damages, pregnant mothers who experience only minor physical injuries, injuries unrelated to their pregnancy, or no significant physical injury at all may still have grounds to pursue compensation. The emotional and financial repercussions a mother experiences following an auto accident during their pregnancy may be sufficient cause for action.
How Experienced Attorneys Can Help
At Biren Law Group, our Father-Son legal team has successfully represented mothers and families in a range of complex personal injury cases, including mothers who suffered emotional and financial damages after being involved in minor auto accidents during pregnancy.
In these cases, we know that every minute a mother fears for her baby or suffers from not knowing if their unborn child will be born healthy and happy can be immensely traumatic – and that this suffering warrants compensation.
We also know that mothers alone are not the only ones who can endure fear, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness following accidents. Fathers may also face emotional and financial losses for which they may be able to seek compensation, such as lost wages from missing work, fear and anguish over the health of their child, and the emotional distress they experienced as a result of being in the accident and / or witnessing its effects on their partner.
If you or someone you love have been involved in an auto accident during pregnancy and would like to learn more about your legal rights, Biren Law Group is here to help. Our award-winning personal injury lawyers serve clients across Southern California and the greater Los Angeles area, and offer FREE consultations. Contact us to speak with an attorney.