[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/use-seat-belt-while-pregnant\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/use-seat-belt-while-pregnant\/","headline":"Should You Use a Seat Belt While Pregnant?","name":"Should You Use a Seat Belt While Pregnant?","description":"Wearing a seat belt while pregnant may seem like a no-brainer, but did you know that it could be the ultimate safety measure for you and your little one? At Butler Kahn, we believe in the power of protection, especially on the road. Not only does buckling up keep you secure during unexpected turns, but&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/use-seat-belt-while-pregnant\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Should You Use a Seat Belt While Pregnant?<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2023-05-18","dateModified":"2026-04-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/butler\/#Person","name":"Jeb Butler","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/butler\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5a02bc71d91db5fc8645f129c4424ce6ef7af7e24fe54f4a85315a9dd28f317?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5a02bc71d91db5fc8645f129c4424ce6ef7af7e24fe54f4a85315a9dd28f317?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Butler Kahn","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Butler-Law-Firm-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Butler-Law-Firm-Logo.png","width":210,"height":93}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pregnant-driving.jpg","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/pregnant-driving.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/use-seat-belt-while-pregnant\/","video":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iR5cH1Ormuo#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iR5cH1Ormuo","name":"Pregnancy and Car Wreck FAQs","description":"Brittany Partridge is here to provide important information about car accidents while pregnant. \n\n*****************************************************\nSHARE THIS VIDEO: https:\/\/youtu.be\/iR5cH1Ormuo\n*****************************************************\n__________________________________________\nWe Have Four Locations to Serve You  \nAtlanta, GA \nButler | Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe \nAtlanta, GA 30324 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/ \n--------\nLawrenceville, GA \nButler | Kahn\n154 Stone Mountain Street, Suite 250\nLawrenceville, GA 30045 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/lawrenceville-...\n-------- \nRoswell, GA \nButler | Kahn\n1255 Canton Street, Suite E \nRoswell, GA 30075 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/roswell-injury...\n-------- \nJonesboro, GA \nButler Kahn\n21 Lee Street, Suite 250 \nJonesboro, GA 30236 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/jonesboro-inju...\n------- \n\u25baHi, my name is Brittany Partridge. And I'm an attorney here at Butler Kahn Law Firm.\n\nUnfortunately, car accidents are the number-one cause of miscarriages when it comes to trauma-related events. And a 2014 study found that pregnant women are 42% more likely to be involved in a car wreck then a woman who's not pregnant.\n\nSo given these statistics, you might have some questions about what you can do to keep you and your baby safe. First, should you wear your seatbelt if you're pregnant? The answer is yes. You should always wear your seatbelt. Now, whether you are a driver, a passenger in the front seat or the back seat, buckle up. According to womenshealth.gov, you should wear that seatbelt under your belly and across your chest.\n\nNow, if you are involved in a car wreck, is it enough to just go see your primary care or maybe the emergency room, or should you go get checked out by your OB\/GYN? Given the potential injury to a baby, it's very important that your OB\/GYN sees you and can check on the health of your baby. So give your OB\/GYN a call and make an appointment to be seen.\n\nNow, lastly, should you wait until your baby's born to hire an attorney? The answer here is no, you should not wait, and that's for two very important reasons. First, there's been changes to Georgia law recently that may give your fetus, before it's even born, a legal claim. Additionally, evidence is best preserved if legal action is taken quickly. So it's important that an attorney's involved so they can get that video of the car wreck, or they can talk to that witness who was on the scene before they're lost or they move. So it's important that you hire an attorney to help you out if you are ever in a car wreck and pregnant.\n\nIf you ever are looking for an attorney, we hope that you call us here at Butler\/Kahn Law Firm. We'd be happy to represent you. Thank you.\n\nJOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA\nFACEBOOK LINK: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\nTWITTER LINK: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Butler_Firm\nINSTAGRAM LINK: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/butler_law_firm\/\nLINKEDIN LINK: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/butlerfirm\/\n\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGOOGLE REVIEWS: https:\/\/search.google.com\/local\/reviews?placeid=ChIJoR24iRoG9YgRSH8GpDMLiMQ\nFACEBOOK REVIEWS: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\/reviews\/\n\nCheck out our previous video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/IMA1xkh0h28","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iR5cH1Ormuo\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iR5cH1Ormuo\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iR5cH1Ormuo\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iR5cH1Ormuo\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iR5cH1Ormuo\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2023-01-31T21:00:32+00:00","duration":"PT2M10S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iR5cH1Ormuo","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.  We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.  We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK.  We do the work that lots of law firms skip.  We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing.  We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE.  If you hire us, you get us.  You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages.  If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO.  Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through.  We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it.  No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iR5cH1Ormuo#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iR5cH1Ormuo#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iR5cH1Ormuo&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iR5cH1Ormuo#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":80}]]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rIj8g8tZBsY#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rIj8g8tZBsY","name":"Should I Wear My Seat Belt If I'm Pregnant?","description":"Today we'll talk about why you ought to use a seatbelt and we'll talk about how you should wear it.\n\n*****************************************************\nSHARE THIS VIDEO: https:\/\/youtu.be\/rIj8g8tZBsY\n*****************************************************\n__________________________________________\nWe Have Four Locations to Serve You  \nAtlanta, GA \nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe \nAtlanta, GA 30324 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/ \n--------\nLawrenceville, GA \nButler Kahn\n154 Stone Mountain Street, Suite 250\nLawrenceville, GA 30045 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/lawrenceville-...\n-------- \nRoswell, GA \nButler Kahn\n1255 Canton Street, Suite E \nRoswell, GA 30075 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/roswell-injury...\n-------- \nJonesboro, GA \nButler Kahn\n21 Lee Street, Suite 250 \nJonesboro, GA 30236 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/jonesboro-inju...\n------- \n\u25ba I'm not just a personal injury lawyer, I'm also a father to two young children, so the question we're going to talk about today became really important in my household when my wife and I learned that we were expecting. That is this. If you're pregnant, should you use a seatbelt? The answer is yes, and you should also use the airbags. Don't turn them off.\n\u25ba Today we'll talk about why you ought to use a seatbelt and we'll talk about how you should wear it, and then we'll talk for a little bit about airbags.\n\u25ba To do that, we'll go through this document on the screen behind me, which is a handout put together by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While our government doesn't always do a perfect job of everything that it does, they did a pretty good job with this handout. I think you're going to find it helpful. It has some great diagrams that we'll talk about.\n\u25ba The biggest picture is this. When we talk about seatbelt use, what we're trying to prevent is keeping an occupant of a vehicle from being thrown around inside the car in the event of a collision. That's exactly why an expecting mother should wear the seatbelt. Because even if there is some low risk of the belt itself causing injury, that risk is far outweighed by the greater risk of the mom being thrown around inside the car in a collision and hitting something, most likely the steering wheel, that's going to cause a real injury. The seatbelt is a good idea for the mom and for the baby because it keeps the mom from getting thrown around inside the car in the event of a collision.\n\u25ba There are some right and wrong ways to wear the seatbelt. There's some good diagrams here. The way a seatbelt ought to be worn is pretty much how it usually is. The lap portion of the belt goes right over the pelvis, right over the iliac crest, which is about right here. Then the shoulder portion is a normal fit.\n\u25ba Now the handout does a good job of showing how it shouldn't be worn. The belt doesn't come over the belly. It goes underneath and right over that iliac crest about where my brown belt is now. There's some good illustrations down here a little bit that show the profile. You can see the lap belt goes under the belly and on top of the pelvis.\n\u25ba Another thing we can talk about when it comes to how to wear a seatbelt and how to position yourself in the car is that the object, remember, is to keep the mother from being thrown around and striking other objects inside the car. For that reason, it's a good idea insofar as you comfortably and safely, to scoot your seat back and put a little bit of distance between that steering wheel and you and your baby. You wouldn't want your stomach touching the steering wheel because that increases the risk of impact of the baby in the event of a collision.\n\u25ba Let's look on down a little bit. Here we come to the part about airbags. Really the calculus with airbags is about the same. I know a lot of cars have switches where you can turn an airbag on or off. Don't turn it off, leave it on. In modern cars, seat belts and airbags are designed to work together to prevent injury. They're designed to work down to the nanosecond in terms of when each one fired and how much and what it does. The overarching goal, and what airbags do really well with they're worn right is to keep occupants, including expecting mom, from striking things inside the car. Yes, an airbag can be scary when it goes off, and yes, there is some impact force, but that is a lot less than the impact force of a body hitting a steering wheel or something else inside the car if the occupant is moving around during a collision.\n\nJOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA\nFACEBOOK LINK: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\nTWITTER LINK: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Butler_Firm\nINSTAGRAM LINK: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/butler_law_firm\/\nLINKEDIN LINK: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/butlerfirm\/\n\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGOOGLE REVIEWS: https:\/\/search.google.com\/local\/reviews?placeid=ChIJoR24iRoG9YgRSH8GpDMLiMQ\nFACEBOOK REVIEWS: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\/reviews\/\n\nCheck out our previous video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/hui49cCiETQ","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/rIj8g8tZBsY\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/rIj8g8tZBsY\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/rIj8g8tZBsY\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/rIj8g8tZBsY\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/rIj8g8tZBsY\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2022-12-07T14:52:16+00:00","duration":"PT4M27S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rIj8g8tZBsY","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.  We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.  We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK.  We do the work that lots of law firms skip.  We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing.  We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE.  If you hire us, you get us.  You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages.  If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO.  Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through.  We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it.  No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rIj8g8tZBsY#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rIj8g8tZBsY#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rIj8g8tZBsY&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rIj8g8tZBsY#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":74}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rIj8g8tZBsY#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":1}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RfUQJItqe3s#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RfUQJItqe3s","name":"LAWYER: What if I was in a Car Accident While Pregnant?","description":"Attorney Jeb Butler is here to talk about what could happen if you are involved in an accident while pregnant.\n\n*****************************************************\nSHARE THIS VIDEO: https:\/\/youtu.be\/RfUQJItqe3s\n*****************************************************\n\u2757DISCLAIMER\u2757\n\nWe are not your lawyer. All content provided is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Any verdicts, settlements or other case results discussed are not guaranteed and must be evaluated on their own merits.\n\nButler Kahn: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/\n\nAtlanta, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Y3fCFkRVAn7jzGD16\n\nLawrenceville, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PaShwcicz5DQDFsD6\n\nRoswell, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/uTVtgfq3RspJ5QQbA\n\nJonesboro, Georgia location:\nhttps:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Jr2umQB8o32QaaRK6\n\nFREE GUIDES\nWhat To Do After a Car Accident: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/georgia-car-accident-lawyers\/what-to-do-after-an-accident\/\nShould I Hire an Accident Lawyer: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/atlanta-car-accident-lawyers\/when-needed\/\nGeorgia Wrongful Death Statute Explained: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/georgia-wrongful-death-statute-explained\/\n\nJOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/Butler_Firm\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/butler_law_firm\/\nLinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/butlerfirm\/\n\nSEE OUR REVIEWS \nGoogle: https:\/\/search.google.com\/local\/reviews?placeid=ChIJoR24iRoG9YgRSH8GpDMLiMQ\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/butlerfirmllc\/reviews\/\n\nCheck out our previous video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/wFYbtONGmCc","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RfUQJItqe3s\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RfUQJItqe3s\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RfUQJItqe3s\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RfUQJItqe3s\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RfUQJItqe3s\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2022-11-22T17:27:06+00:00","duration":"PT9M33S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RfUQJItqe3s","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.  We are based in Atlanta, Georgia.  We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK.  We do the work that lots of law firms skip.  We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing.  We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE.  If you hire us, you get us.  You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages.  If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO.  Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through.  We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it.  No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RfUQJItqe3s#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RfUQJItqe3s#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RfUQJItqe3s&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RfUQJItqe3s#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":1071}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RfUQJItqe3s#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":15}]}],"about":["Car Accident"],"wordCount":1075,"articleBody":"Wearing a seat belt while pregnant may seem like a no-brainer, but did you know that it could be the ultimate safety measure for you and your little one? At Butler Kahn, we believe in the power of protection, especially on the road. Not only does buckling up keep you secure during unexpected turns, but seat belts and airbags used together can safeguard you and your baby if you should be in an accident.\u00a0Should You Wear a Seat Belt While Pregnant?Medical professionals agree that pregnant women should continue to wear seat belts. Seat belts and airbags are the most effective means of protecting you and your baby in a collision.How Dangerous Is Being in an Accident While Pregnant?Being in an accident while pregnant can be incredibly dangerous for the mother and the baby. One in twelve pregnancies is complicated by trauma, and one of the leading causes of non-obstetric pregnancy trauma is motor vehicle crashes. According to American Family Physician, 90 percent of traumatic injuries pregnant women suffer are classified as minor. However, even minor trauma can result in pregnancy loss. A traumatic injury can result in miscarriage or preterm labor.A car accident can also cause placental abruption, where the placenta separates from the uterus, resulting in serious bleeding and a lack of oxygen for the baby. In rare cases, the impact of a crash can cause a uterine rupture, which can be life-threatening for both the mother and the baby. Pregnant women should always wear a seat belt to minimize the risk of these complications.Are Seat Belts Mandatory in Georgia?According to Georgia Code Section 40-8-76, all drivers and front-seat passengers in a motor vehicle must use a safety belt or child restraint system when riding on a public road unless they qualify for an exception, such as having a physician\u2019s statement that says the person cannot wear a seat belt due to physical or medical reasons or delivers mail or newspapers. If a child under eight years old is riding in a motor vehicle, they must be properly restrained in a child restraint system or booster seat, and if the child is under 17 years old, the child must always use a seat belt.The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) emphasizes the importance of wearing a seat belt and the seatbelt&#8217;s role in reducing fatalities and severe injuries in motor vehicle crashes. A seat belt violation can result in a fine of up to $50.00 and one point on your driver&#8217;s license.Are Seatbelts Safe While Pregnant?During pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends wearing a seatbelt to protect the mother and baby. While pregnant, you should wear a lap belt under your belly and across your hips. Be sure to wear shoulder straps over the chest.Are Airbags Safe While Pregnant?Airbags can provide additional comfort and safety in a car accident. But, they can pose a risk to a woman who is pregnant. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags can potentially cause severe or fatal injuries if the vehicle occupant is too close or comes in direct contact with a deploying airbag.This is because airbags deploy with a significant amount of force and can cause blunt-force trauma. However, the NHTSA also states that the benefits of airbags outweigh the risks in most cases.Car Safety Tips to Follow While PregnantPregnancy can bring about many changes to a woman&#8217;s body. That&#8217;s why taking extra precautions before getting on the road is wise. Here are some car safety tips that pregnant women should follow:Wear a seatbelt and ensure it fits correctly: Position the lap belt under the belly and snugly across the hips. You should place the shoulder strap between your breasts and away from your neck.Sit as far away from the airbag as possible: Keep the steering wheel at a distance, but make sure you can still reach the pedals.Avoid long road trips: It&#8217;s important to take breaks and stretch your legs to prevent blood clots and swelling in the legs.Adjust the headrest: Position the headrest to support the head and neck and help prevent injuries in the event of a car accident.Seek medical attention after an accident: Even if there are no visible injuries, it&#8217;s important to see a doctor after a car accident to ensure both the mother and the baby are safe.What Should I Do After a Car Accident While Pregnant?Being involved in a car accident while pregnant can be a traumatic experience, but it&#8217;s essential to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of both the mother and the unborn child. Here are some steps to follow after a car accident while pregnant:Seek medical attention: No doubt you immediately went to the doctor after your accident to be sure you and the baby were safe. Be sure to continue under your doctor&#8217;s care, and have every test or visit with a specialist they recommend. This not only ensures that you get the care you need, but it also provides documentation of any injuries you or the baby sustained in the accident.Contact your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.Hire an Atlanta car accident lawyer: If another driver&#8217;s negligence caused the accident, an Atlanta car accident lawyer could help you recover compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. They can get copies of the police report, obtain information about the at-fault party&#8217;s insurance policy, and gather evidence to support your case.Keep a pain journal: Make notes in a journal every day about any symptoms you&#8217;re feeling, record any medical visits, procedures, or tests you undergo, and write details about how the accident has affected your ability to function as usual in your daily life.Contact an Atlanta Car Accident LawyerAt Butler Kahn, we understand the challenges and concerns that come with being injured in a car accident you didn&#8217;t cause, especially while pregnant. If you have been hurt in a crash, our team of experienced Atlanta car accident attorneys is here to help. We invite you to reach out to us for a free consultation at your convenience to discuss your situation and explore your legal options. If you&#8217;re ready to talk about your accident, call us or contact us online today."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Should You Use a Seat Belt While Pregnant?","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/use-seat-belt-while-pregnant\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]