Pregnancy affects many things, but does it impact a personal injury claim in Georgia? As a pregnant woman, you have the dream of giving birth to a perfectly healthy child, which is why accident injuries that happen during pregnancy can be so damaging. If you have been involved in a car accident, you must know how to protect your personal injury claim in Georgia to compensate you and your unborn child.
In Georgia, the most recent statistics regarding car accidents date from the year 2020. During that time, over 70 drivers were injured in a car accident every hour, while over 1,700 drivers were injured every day and over 600,000 people were injured altogether in one year.
What Are The Chances Of Being Involved In A Traffic Accident While Pregnant?
Pregnant women are not forgone by devastating road accidents, regardless of how careful they are. There is always a risk involved with traveling, regardless of how cautious you are. You can avoid second-hand smoke, limit alcohol consumption, and protect yourself against environmental toxins, but it is simply impractical to not get behind the wheel for nine months.
In the United States, there are approximately 170,000 car accidents involving pregnant women each year. It is estimated that between one and three percent of all infants given birth in the U.S. have been involved in car accidents in utero, and car accidents are the leading cause of traumatic fetal death.
Are Auto Accidents Associated with Pregnancy Complications?
Although your uterus provides reasonable protection for your baby in an accident, it may still be impacted by the seat belt, which could cause additional pressure to your uterus. If the seat belt is not placed low on your knees instead of crossing your uterus, the seat belt can cause additional pressure to the uterus. When you are a pregnant woman, you must seek medical attention immediately after a car accident since this could cause premature delivery along with significant blood loss for the mother. Seeking medical attention after an accident is always important, but it is essential when you are expecting a child.
If there are any complications for you or your baby following the accident, you should undergo a thorough evaluation. In the hospital, you may be asked to check for signs of fetal distress. These signs include:
- Bleeding during pregnancy
- Fluid leaking
- An increase in vaginal discharge
- The contraction of muscles
- Painless abdominal cramps
- Fainting or dizziness
- The frequency or strength of the fetal movements change
- Morning sickness-related vomiting does not occur
- You may experience chills or fever
- Decreased or absent fetal movement
In the event of a car accident, your doctor may classify the pregnancy as high-risk due to your medical condition and pregnancy history. This simply means that you will need to receive extra monitoring and observation up until delivery.
Are There Any Emotional Traumas?
Pregnant women may suffer from anxiety and depression triggered by hormonal and physical developments due to pregnancy, which can make any involvement in a car accident even more traumatizing. Having been involved in an accident while you were pregnant could cause sleepless nights worrying about the damage your unborn baby may have sustained. If you were involved in an accident while pregnant, you may consider consulting a psychiatrist or therapist to discuss how the accident has affected your perspective on parenthood.
Keeping a journal of your feelings can prove beneficial both therapeutically and for preserving your memories and evidence for your personal injury claim in Georgia.
What Are My Options for Protecting Personal Injury Claim in Georgia?
The accident must have caused medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, including emotional distress. In the case of pregnancy, if evidence proves that the accident caused damage to a fetus that necessitated medical treatment during pregnancy or after birth, the mother shall be eligible for maximum damages. Similarly, if goods or insurance are available, the driver can be held responsible for this loss.
In a personal injury claim in Georgia, a fetus cannot be recovered in compensation, but the mother and possibly the father might be able to claim that they suffered emotional distress because of the loss of their unborn child.
In Georgia, personal injury claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, so you must initiate your claim before that period runs out if you want to receive compensation. Qualified lawyers are dedicated to helping people secure the resources they need to recover financially and emotionally. Contact us now to arrange a free, no-obligation case review.
