What If I’m Pregnant in a Car Accident in Oklahoma?

If you are pregnant in a car accident in Oklahoma you may have special claims that need to be looked at. Getting into a car accident is one of the most frightening things that can happen while pregnant. Accidents are usually traumatic, even if at low speeds. Mothers and their unborn children can suffer serious injuries in a wreck, with sometimes lifelong consequences. Helpfully, Oklahoma personal injury law gives parents the right to seek compensation when a baby is injured or dies in a car crash. These are complex legal cases, so an Oklahoma car accident attorney is a big help.

What Are The Risks Of Car Accidents When Pregnant?

Scientists have studied the consequences of car accidents on pregnant women. One study found that a single-car accident increased the risk of:

• Preterm birth. A preterm birth is one that happens before the 37th week. Babies born early can suffer various complications, including respiratory problems, impaired vision, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.
• Placental abruption. A baby is encased in the placenta, which is attached to the uterus. However, trauma can detach the placenta and lead to insufficient oxygen or nutrition. Consequently, babies are more at risk of suffering brain injuries and learning defects later in life. A mother can also suffer serious bleeding.
• Premature rupture of membranes. An car or truck accident increases the chances of the amniotic sac rupturing. Consequently, a mother is more likely to have a preterm delivery, which increases the odds of the baby dying.

These are only three of the most significant risks to a baby in a car crash. Mothers are also at risk for injuries, such as fractures and traumatic brain injuries.

Can I Sue If My Baby Is Injured?

Yes. Any injury could result in premature birth and birth injuries. If your baby suffers developmental delays or serious brain injury, your family could face massive medical expenses over the coming decades. Our firm has experience suing negligent drivers for:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical expenses for your child
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income when you can’t work after a crash

These are complicated cases to bring, however, because you need evidence showing the car accident caused your child’s injuries. Your baby might not be born for months, so any developmental delays could be challenging to connect to the accident.

What If My Baby Dies In A Car Crash?

Oklahoma’s wrongful death statute allows you to sue if an “unborn person” is wrongfully killed. The death will probably qualify as wrongful if a reckless or negligent driver caused it. Discuss with an attorney what compensation you might receive. Generally, parents receive money for burial and funeral costs, as well as medical bills for any care received before death. You might also receive money for loss of companionship or similar losses.

What Evidence Is Most Helpful For My Claim?

You should go to the hospital soon after your accident, even if you feel “fine.” Your doctor might check to see if your baby is in distress. Early medical care can also help establish a link between the accident and any injuries your baby suffered.

Proving a link between the crash and the child’s injuries is the biggest challenge in a personal injury case involving an unborn baby. Several months might elapse between the accident and your child’s birth, and you might not know anything is wrong for a year or more. Evidence could disappear, or you may struggle to prove that the car accident led to these injuries.

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Tulsa Injury Attorneys Near You

Kania Law Office has helped men and women seek monetary compensation for injuries to their babies, including the unborn. We can review the facts of your car accident in a free consultation. Oklahoma personal injury cases come in all types. With each type requires a different plan of action and this is especially true if you are pregnant in a car accident. This includes money for medical treatment, compensation while you recover and in many instances pain and suffering. Contact us by calling 918-743-2233 or contacting our firm online.