[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/what-should-you-do-if-youre-in-a-car-accident-while-pregnant\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/what-should-you-do-if-youre-in-a-car-accident-while-pregnant\/","headline":"What Should You Do If You’re in a Car Accident While Pregnant?","name":"What Should You Do If You’re in a Car Accident While Pregnant?","description":"If a pregnant woman is involved in a\u00a0car accident, there is cause for concern for both the expectant mother and her unborn child.\u00a0 The good news is that most of the time, the unborn baby is unharmed.\u00a0 But injuries to the baby and even miscarriages are possible. If you were pregnant when were in a… Continue reading What Should You Do If You’re in a Car Accident While Pregnant?<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2023-05-18","dateModified":"2026-04-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/matt-kahn\/#Person","name":"Matt Kahn","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/matt-kahn\/","identifier":25,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e04949bdf1f2184cdeab337bb39535a4c17c4beb3ad3cd47e5524b20b38274a9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e04949bdf1f2184cdeab337bb39535a4c17c4beb3ad3cd47e5524b20b38274a9?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\/2021\/03\/pregnant-woman-driving.jpg","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/pregnant-woman-driving.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/what-should-you-do-if-youre-in-a-car-accident-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":84}]]},{"@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}]}],"about":["Car Accident"],"wordCount":2145,"articleBody":"If a pregnant woman is involved in a\u00a0car accident, there is cause for concern for both the expectant mother and her unborn child.\u00a0 The good news is that most of the time, the unborn baby is unharmed.\u00a0 But injuries to the baby and even miscarriages are possible. If you were pregnant when were in a car crash, you have the right to hold the at-fault party accountable for any injuries you\u2019ve sustained, as well as any injuries to your unborn child. The\u00a0Atlanta auto accident lawyers\u00a0at Butler Kahn have decades of experience helping car crash victims, including pregnant mothers. Our firm\u00a0is committed to providing the help you need. When you hire us, you will work directly with one of our\u00a0Atlanta car collision attorneys. They\u2019ll be with you through every step of the legal process. If you think we could help with your situation and you\u2019d like to talk with us about it, contact us by phone or online. It costs nothing to speak to our lawyers and our conversation will be completely confidential. What Should You Do If You\u2019re in a Car Accident While Pregnant?If you\u2019re in an accident during your pregnancy, call 911 immediately and seek emergency medical care. Even minor accidents can have effects on unborn children. You should still call your healthcare provider even if you don’t think you suffered serious injuries. They can assess your condition, check on your baby, and advise you on what to do next.Risks During the First and Second Trimesters of PregnancyWhile there are health risks if you\u2019re involved in a car accident at any point in your pregnancy, those risks are somewhat less pronounced in the early stages. During the first trimester (the first 12 weeks or so of the pregnancy), traveling in a car is generally safer than when you\u2019re further along. If you are involved in a car crash in the first trimester, the fetus has greater protection from the effects of a crash and is less susceptible to sudden stops and jolts. During the second trimester (the next 12 weeks of the pregnancy), the fetus is still fairly well protected from the effects of a crash, but you could sustain greater injuries yourself. If these injuries are severe enough, they could end up having an impact on your unborn child. While the dangers from a car accident are reduced in the first and second trimesters, any car accident when you\u2019re pregnant could raise serious health concerns. If you\u2019re involved in a crash, you should get to the ER as soon as possible and see your obstetrician.Possible Pregnancy Complications After a CollisionWhether your unborn baby is hurt depends not only on the phase of your pregnancy, but also on the severity of the accident.\u00a0 Unsurprisingly, severe car accidents are more likely to cause injuries than minor collisions. Some of the possible health complications from being involved in a car accident while pregnant include:MiscarriageEarly laborSevere bleeding,\u00a0both internally or externallyBirth defectsMaternal shock,\u00a0which occurs when a mother loses so much blood that the heart cannot function properly. When this happens, the body will redirect blood and other nutrients away from the fetus to the mother, putting the fetus in jeopardy.Contrecoup injuries,\u00a0which occur when your body is violently forced in one direction before abruptly snapping back in the other direction. This puts intense stress on your body and can harm the fetus.Placental disruption,\u00a0which is when your placenta prematurely detaches from the wall of the uterus. This can put your unborn child in extreme danger and can lead to fetal death.Uterine rupture,\u00a0which is when a collision causes a spontaneous tear of the uterus. These injuries are fatal to the unborn child in nearly all instances.Car Accident Symptoms to Look Out for When PregnantIf you\u2019re involved in a car accident while you\u2019re pregnant, here are a few warning signs to watch out for:Losing consciousness\u00a0during or after the accidentPain in your pelvic regionAny fluid discharging from your vaginaBleeding from your vaginaSevere headachesFacial swellingChills and\/or feverAbdominal painVomiting\u00a0that does not seem to be related to morning sicknessAny change or cessation in your baby\u2019s movementsAny of these symptoms could be a sign of serious underlying injuries to you, your child, or both. Seek emergency medical treatment right away and call your obstetrician if you experience any of these symptoms.Ways for Pregnant Drivers to Protect Themselves and Their Unborn BabiesMost women are not able to stop driving during their pregnancy. Driving for work, for school, for family, or for other reasons is often a practical necessity. If you need to travel in a car while you\u2019re pregnant, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:Wear your seatbelt properly.\u00a0Place the lap belt under your abdomen and above your hips. This will prevent the seatbelt from constricting your developing child if you\u2019re in a crash. Wear the shoulder belt normally, across your chest and above your abdomen.Do not deactivate your airbags. The airbags in your vehicle were designed to work hand-in-hand with your seat belt to keep your body stable and safe in the event of a collision.\u00a0 Keep the airbag on.Move your seat back away from the steering wheel when driving.\u00a0You want to do everything you can to keep from being pressed into the steering wheel in the event of a crash.Should I Wear My Seat Belt when Pregnant?Yes, absolutely.\u00a0 Your seat belt will help to keep you and your baby safe. Some people wonder whether the seat belt can hurt an unborn baby, but when a pregnant woman wears a seat belt correctly, the risks of the seat belt harming the baby are minimal.\u00a0 A far greater risk to the safety of the unborn baby and expectant mother would be getting thrown around the inside of the car during the accident.\u00a0 If the mother is not belted, then in a severe collision, she could be thrown forward into the steering wheel, thrown sideways into the passenger seat, or even ejected from the vehicle in a rollover.\u00a0 Those risks are much greater than any risk created by the seat belt itself. As shown in the diagrams below, a pregnant mother should wear the lap part of the belt low across her pelvis, across what doctors call the \u201ciliac crest.\u201d\u00a0 The shoulder part of the belt should be worn normally, across the chest and typically between the breasts. Should I Turn the Airbags in my Car Off if I am Pregnant?No.\u00a0 The airbag is designed to work with your seat belt to keep you safe and secure in the event of a car accident. The biggest risk to an unborn baby (or an expectant mother) in a car accident is a forceful impact with something inside the car.\u00a0 Airbags help to prevent that.\u00a0 For example, if a mother\u2019s abdomen is thrown against the steering wheel or against the side of the car during a collision, there is a chance that the baby could be hurt.\u00a0 Airbags help to cushion that impact, and help to keep everyone safe. Although airbags can cause minor discomfort after a collision, like burn marks or small abrasions, those issues are slight.\u00a0 The bigger issues that airbags prevent, like hard impacts with surfaces inside the car, would be much more dangerous to mother and child.\u00a0 So although airbags alone won\u2019t keep a mother or baby safe, airbags work with the car\u2019s seat belt system to minimize the chance of injuries in an accident. What to Do After the CrashIf you are involved in a crash while you\u2019re pregnant, here are the steps you should take to give yourself the best chance of recovering compensation:Follow your doctor\u2019s orders exactly as they\u2019re given.\u00a0Not only does ignoring your doctor\u2019s instructions put you and your unborn baby in danger, but it could also give the insurance company ammunition to argue for a lower payout.Save all your medical records, bills, and pay stubs.\u00a0This evidence helps demonstrate the nature of your injuries and offers a record of the financial losses you\u2019ve sustained.Preserve whatever evidence you can from the accident scene.\u00a0Take pictures if you can and try to remember as much as you can about the details of the crash.Start a journal and monitor your daily pain levels.\u00a0To get compensation for the pain you\u2019ve endured as a result of the accident, you\u2019ll need to show how your injuries have impacted your daily life. Writing down the details of the accident can help preserve them for future reference.Get help from a car accident attorney.\u00a0Under Georgia law, you have two years to file a lawsuit in a personal injury case. The sooner you talk to an attorney, the faster they can start building your case to seek the compensation you deserve.Compensation for Injuries to the Unborn Baby in a Car AccidentIf a car accident causes injuries to an unborn baby, the at-fault driver, their insurance company, or whoever caused the injury can be held accountable for those injuries. If a child is born with birth defects caused by an accident, then after the child has been born, a claim for those injuries can be made.\u00a0 The Supreme Court of Georgia has addressed this issue several times.\u00a0 In 1995 in a case called Peters v. Hospital Authority of Elbert County, the Court wrote that \u201c[s]ince 1951, Georgia law has recognized that a child born after sustaining a tortious prenatal injury may bring anaction to recover damages for the injury sustained.\u201d\u00a0 265 Ga. 487, 487-88.\u00a0 That means that, for example, if a car accident broke the arm of an unborn child, then when the child is born, a claim can be brought on the child\u2019s behalf by the parents.\u00a0 The parents could collect, on behalf of the child, for past medical bills, future medical bills, the temporary loss of the use of the arm, and other components of damages. After the child is born, the parents may collect on the child\u2019s behalf for the pain and suffering that the baby experienced in the womb.\u00a0 The federal trial court in Atlanta addressed this issue in a case called Durden v. Newton County and determined that \u201c[t]o recover for prenatal pain and suffering, the child must be born alive.\u201d\u00a0 No. 1:14-CV-01163, 2015 WL 71446, at *3-4 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 5, 2015).Compensation for a Miscarriage Caused by a Car AccidentSometimes the worst happens and an unborn baby is lost because of a car accident.\u00a0 In that circumstance, the parents can bring a wrongful death claim under Georgia law if the pregnancy was far enough along at the time of the collision. Georgia law recognizes a point in the pregnancy called the \u201cquickening,\u201d which generally refers to the time when the unborn baby is capable of moving around in the womb such that the mother, or another person placing their hand on her abdomen, can feel the movement.\u00a0 The Georgia Court of Appeals described it by saying that \u201cthe concept of quickening necessarily contemplates proof of the kind of movement that a mother potentially could feel, such as the movement of an arm or a leg.\u201d\u00a0 Citron v. Ghaffari, 246 Ga. App. 826, 827-28 (2000).\u00a0 The quickening might occur at different points in different pregnancies, but it typically occurs \u201caround the sixteenth week and at times as early as the tenth week of pregnancy,\u201d according to the Georgia Supreme Court in a case called Kempson v. State.\u00a0 278 Ga. 285, 286 (2004). If a miscarriage occurs and an unborn baby is lost after the \u201cquickening,\u201d then in Georgia, the parents can bring a wrongful death claim arising from the death of the fetus.\u00a0 The compensation available in a wrongful death claim is \u201cthe full value of the life\u201d that was lost, measured from the point of view of the person who died.\u00a0 Those can be big numbers \u2013 and appropriately so, since life is precious and irreplaceable.Compensation for Injuries Suffered by Pregnant Mothers in Car CrashesHere are a few of the things you could be compensated for if you\u2019re involved in a car accident while pregnant:Your medical expensesLost wagesThe physical pain you\u2019ve enduredEmotional pain and anguishThe cost of any future medical care you or your child may needStill, have questions about your rights after being involved in a car crash while pregnant? We\u2019re here to help. Contact Butler Kahn for a free case review. We\u2019ll discuss your legal rights and options and explain how we can help you seek the compensation you deserve."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Should You Do If You’re in a Car Accident While Pregnant?","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/what-should-you-do-if-youre-in-a-car-accident-while-pregnant\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]