It is very common, unfortunately, for pregnant women to be hurt in car accidents. This presents a very unique situation from a legal standpoint. Initially, a pregnant woman is already under the care of a physician, who is overseeing the care of the unborn child. How do you then handle this, with respect to a car accident claim?
We’d like to thank our friends from Blaszkow Legal, PLLC for the following information about car accident claims for pregnant women.
Risks To Mother And Child
Car accidents involving a pregnant woman can pose a risk not only to the mother, but also the child. There are risks such as miscarriage, placental damage, compression of the umbilical cord, and other injuries to the unborn child. It is extremely important for the mother to receive a full, comprehensive examination at a hospital after a car accident. This does not mean an urgent care center. Urgent care centers are fine for certain incidents, but not a car accident involving a pregnant woman. Urgent care centers do not have certain imaging devices needed, and they do not have OBs on staff if needed. Hospitals do.
Medical Evaluation After A Crash
It is important for the mother and the child to be evaluated by a physician. Some injuries can actually be caused by the very devices designed to lessen injuries after an impact, such as a seat belt. Again, this is why it is so important to receive a thorough, comprehensive trauma evaluation after a crash.
Collaboration With Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Following the emergency evaluation, it is important that a pregnant mother be evaluated separately by the obstetrician/gynecologist who is overseeing the pregnancy itself. This doctor is going to form a part of the treatment team for the car accident. This doctor is going to help review treatment recommendations to make sure that none of them are contraindicated by the pregnancy, and also to make sure that nothing is going to adversely affect the mother. For example, a normal person can have an MRI after a car accident, but a pregnant mother may not be able to do that. So treatment decisions are going to have to be made collaboratively between the OB and any other treating physicians, such as a neurologist or orthopedist.
Treatment Considerations And Physical Therapy
Occasionally, pregnant women face a treatment hurdle after the accident, in so far as they are not sure what treatment they can receive. As stated, it’s important to have all of the prescribing physicians discuss what treatment is best for the mother. Then, it is a matter of finding the right physical therapist to provide that treatment. A physical therapist who has experience handling normal car accident cases may not have sufficient experience to treat a pregnant mother after a crash.
Legal Guidance For Pregnant Mothers
If you have been hurt in a car accident and are a pregnant mother, it’s important to get evaluated, and also to speak to a car accident lawyer in your area right away. Car accident lawyers are familiar with these varying complaints, and the concerns that have to be viewed through a legal lens, not just a medical one. They will know the providers who can work with you, and will help you get the treatment you need, to maximize your recovery, and to get back to where you were before the negligent party caused your crash.
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