Car accidents can be terrifying. They are often a source of serious injuries. If you are pregnant, you have yourself and your baby to worry about. Car accidents can be particularly dangerous while you’re pregnant. If you suffered a serious accident while pregnant, here are three steps that you need to take.
Pull Over to Safety
If you can still drive, you should always pull the car to the side of the road following an accident. If your vehicle is in the middle of the road, it can become a hazard and cause further accidents. If you lose consciousness, feel pain in your pelvic region, or have any bleeding, you should wait for help.
Do not risk driving when you feel faint or dizzy. You should also stay in the vehicle until help arrives. Traffic may stop or protect your vehicle from further damage.
Seek Medical Care
Always seek medical care after an accident. This is especially important if you are pregnant at the time of the crash. You may feel okay, when in reality you may have serious injuries that have yet to show symptoms or that you have yet to notice.
Traumatic injuries sustained in an accident can affect your baby. You could experience:
- Premature birth
- Miscarriage
- Placental abruption
The safety of you and your baby relies on you seeking medical care. Do not refuse care from the paramedics. If the paramedics request that you go to the hospital, it is a good idea to go. You can gather witness information from the police report later or ask someone in your family or who was with you to collect witness information.
Contact an Attorney
Whenever you suffer potential damages in an accident, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Some people even choose to contact an attorney before they contact the insurance companies. While you need to notify the insurance company as soon as possible, you can call the attorney first. He or she can help guide you through the process of making a claim with the insurance company. After, the lawyer can help you negotiate your settlement.
If you were in an accident during your pregnancy, the health of you and your baby should take priority. Always receive medical care first. Then, contact an attorney and your insurance company. For more information on how to go through with filing a personal injury claim, consider a consultation with a lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Towson, MD from Seigel & Rouhana.