Pregnant in a Car Accident?

If you were pregnant in a car accident, you may be dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and overwhelming uncertainty about your baby’s well-being. Even minor car accidents can pose serious risks to both the mother and unborn child, and the most dangerous complications often appear hours—or even days—after the car accident.

At Bowman Law, our experienced Colorado car accident lawyers often represent pregnant women who suffered injuries or complications due to someone else’s negligence. We understand these are not typical injury claims. Pregnancy-related car accident cases demand heightened sensitivity, thorough medical analysis, and a strategic legal approach tailored to the unique risks of maternal and fetal trauma.

This article will help you understand:

• What complications pregnant women can experience after a crash
• The risks to unborn children in car accidents
• How to prove the accident caused your injuries or pregnancy complications
• Why legal representation matters in these complex cases

Complications for Women Pregnant in a Car Accident

Pregnant drivers and passengers are at an elevated risk of injury in a car accident, even if they are wearing seat belts. The Colorado Department of Transportation found just 32% of pregnant Colorado drivers wear their seat belts correctly. This is alarming and furthers the need to take immediate steps after an accident. If you were pregnant during a car accident, it is critical to take all precautions even if you feel fine afterwards.

Pregnancy transforms nearly every part of a woman’s body. That means when trauma occurs, like in a car accident, the effects can be far-reaching. Even a seemingly “minor” car accident can lead to major complications. We cannot overstate how critical it is to seek medical attention after a car accident, especially if you are pregnant. Even if you do not feel hurt, prompt attention from a doctor or medical professional can prevent long-term complications for mother and child.

Pregnancy makes the female body more vulnerable to physical trauma in several ways:

• The uterus expands, pushing vital organs upward and making the abdomen more exposed.
• The placenta and fetus are not shielded by bone, leaving them susceptible to impact.
• Hormonal changes loosen ligaments, making joints and muscles less stable.
• Increased blood volume can mask signs of internal bleeding until it becomes critical.

Some of the most common complications pregnant women face after a car accident include:

• Placental Abruption – This occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus, limiting oxygen to the baby and risking miscarriage or stillbirth.
• Preterm Labor – Pregnant women can experience early contractions and delivery of their baby caused by the trauma suffered in an accident.
• Uterine Rupture – A rare but life-threatening tear in the uterine wall that can result from a crash.
• Internal Bleeding – This can effect both the mother and fetus. Internal bleeding is common after serious accidents and it is not often obvious. Prompt medical attention can identify and treat internal bleeding for you and your baby.

Injuries Unborn Children Experience in a Car Accident

An unborn baby is incredibly vulnerable in a car accident. Even with seatbelt use and proper driving behavior, fetal injuries can occur from the sheer force of the impact or trauma to the mother’s body. Potential fetal injuries include:

• Fetal brain damage due to lack of oxygen or physical trauma.
• Premature birth, which may require long-term NICU care.
• Miscarriage, especially in the first or second trimester.
• Stillbirth, frequently caused by placental abruption or uterine rupture.
• Fractures or organ damage, if the fetus absorbs direct trauma.
• Reduced oxygen supply due to maternal shock or bleeding.

These outcomes are devastating. They may have lifelong implications for both mother and child. Our legal team helps families secure the compensation needed to support care, therapy, and recovery.

Proving a Car Accident Caused the Injuries or Fetal Death

Proving causation in a car accident with a pregnant victim case requires comprehensive documentation and strong expert support. Insurance companies often look for excuses to deny or minimize these claims, so building a solid case is crucial.

A car accident that might be minor for someone else could be catastrophic for a pregnant woman and her child. Hence the importance of retaining car accident lawyers who understand the complexities of cases involving pregnancy.

Ensuring your and your baby’s health is most important. In addition, seeking medical attention provides valuable evidence should you need to consult a lawyer. Without early medical documentation, insurance companies may try to argue that the crash did not cause your injuries or complications. That is why getting checked out right away protects not just your health, but also for your potential case.

Here is how our legal team proves causation:

• Medical Records – Our lawyers will collect and review your medical records, especially your emergency room records to document your and your baby’s symptoms after the accident. OB/GYN notes will be crucial in demonstrating any changes in fetal health after the crash. Medical records also often include fetal heart monitoring and ultrasound reports. The findings from these procedures are very important to a potential claim.
• Evidence from the Crash Scene – The immediate aftermath of an accident is often chaotic, confusing, and overwhelming. When possible, try to take photographs of the scene and property damage. Visible damage to your vehicle will often support the causation link between your and your baby’s injuries to the accident. Witness accounts and camera footage are also extremely important. Our legal team will help identify and preserve critical evidence early in the process.
• Expert Testimony – When necessary, we will consult necessary medical experts. These experts are important especially if an insurance company tries to argue your or your baby’s complications are not casually linked to the accident. Bowman Law works with several reliable and trustworthy medical professionals to dispute insurance’s assertions and demonstrate how your injuries were caused by the accident.
• Pre-crash Medical Records – Pregnant women often see their doctors throughout their pregnancy. Even a healthy and routine pregnancy often consists of several visits to ensure your baby is remaining healthy throughout your pregnancy. Identifying records that show your baby was healthy before the crash will help nullify any causation challenges by the insurance companies.

Experienced Car Accident Lawyers for Pregnancy-Related Injuries

Not every personal injury lawyer is equipped to handle pregnancy-related injury cases. These cases demand legal and medical precision, as well as a deep understanding of how pregnancy affects injury outcomes, recovery timelines, and emotional trauma.

Pursuing a claim while pregnant can be incredibly daunting and stressful. While trying to heal from physical injuries, you also may need to make insurance claims for economic losses, like medical bills and lost wages, incurred during your pregnancy. As a pregnant car accident victim, you have legal rights, and insurance companies will often use tactics to circumvent those rights. A determined and passionate Colorado car accident lawyer will ensure your rights are protected during what are often lengthy and contentious insurance claims.

You also have rights to recover non-economic damages. Often, these damages are in the form of emotional trauma and hardship. While not economically quantifiable, being a pregnant car accident victim is traumatic. The time between the crash and medical tests that confirm your baby is okay can feel like a lifetime. That uncertainty is beyond stressful, and you have a right to be compensated for the emotional toll caused by someone else’s negligence.

At Bowman Law, we understand the extreme implications of being in a car accident while pregnant. Our compassionate, top-rated accident lawyers are ready to help you navigate the challenges and complications of filing a personal injury claim.

If you or a loved one were involved in a crash while pregnant, do not navigate the legal process alone. Call us at 720-526-0298 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. You have one opportunity to seek justice — let our Colorado car accident lawyers help you seize it. 

Our experienced Colorado car accident lawyers will guide you through every step: from preserving medical records to negotiating with insurers to pursuing full compensation at trial if necessary.