Getting into a car accident while pregnant is not something an expectant mother wants to imagine. Car accidents can cause catastrophic injuries to victims. Being involved in a car accident can cause a myriad pregnancy-related injuries that can place both the mother’s and baby’s lives at enormous risk.
It is vitally important to seek immediate medical care – even if you feel fine
A pregnant person may not be aware of potential injuries to themselves or their baby. Some traumatic medical conditions, such as placental abruption, are not painful or immediately obvious. They can feel quite like normal Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are easily ignored.
It is best to see a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. The doctor may want to perform an ultrasound to ensure the mother and baby are not seriously injured. The mother and baby have a better chance of making a full recovery if injuries are diagnosed as soon as possible after a car accident.
What type of injuries to an expectant mother and unborn baby can occur when in a car accident?
An expectant mother may sustain multiple injuries in a car wreck. A pregnant woman might suffer from broken bones, brain injuries, back injuries, and whiplash. However, an expectant mother could also sustain one or more pregnancy-related injuries that could cause life-threatening conditions for her and the baby.
Common pregnancy-related injuries caused by a car accident include, but are not limited to:
Damage To the Placenta
The placenta is vital for the baby. It provides oxygen and nutrients. If the placenta becomes detached (placental abruption) or is damaged during the collision, the baby may not receive an adequate supply of oxygen.
Oxygen deprivation could result in numerous conditions, including cerebral palsy, brain damage, and tissue damage. In some cases, placental abruption could result in stillbirth.
Injuries To the Baby
Even though the baby is protected within the uterus, the baby could sustain direct injuries during the crash. The sudden jolts caused by the collision could result in the baby’s brain being slammed against the skull. The movement could cause brain damage.
Enough pressure on the mother’s abdomen could cause additional injuries, including broken bones. Depending on the severity of the injuries, the result could be a miscarriage.
Uterine Injuries
The mother’s uterus is extended because of the pregnancy. Pressure on the uterus can cause injury to the mother and the baby. A strong enough blow could cause injuries to the baby, bleeding, ruptured uterus, and premature labor.
Seek Emergency Medical Attention After a Car Accident While Pregnant
If you are pregnant, call your doctor immediately after a car accident. However, if you experience any signs of an injury or unexplained symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Some of the signs that could indicate a serious pregnancy-related car accident injury include, but are not limited to:
Contractions
Vaginal bleeding
Abdominal pain
Loss of consciousness
Vomiting
Changes in the baby’s movements
Swelling
Urgent or painful urination
Severe headaches, chills, or fever
Physical trauma to the abdomen
If you are unsure whether you or your baby were injured in the car wreck, it is best to go directly to the emergency room. Prompt treatment could save your life and your baby’s life.
Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries and Damages?
If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you might have a claim against the other driver. The other driver could be held financially liable for your damages and injuries. Damages in a car accident case could include:
Medical expenses and bills
Lost income and benefits
Disabilities and impairments
Decreased earning potential
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional and mental anguish and trauma
Loss of quality of life
The other driver’s insurance company may deny liability for the claim based on the serious injury threshold. A car accident lawyer can review your case and advise you of your legal rights regarding a claim.
If you or your unborn baby suffered injuries, it is wise to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Understanding your legal rights and your options for holding the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries is the best way to protect your and your baby’s best interests. Call (937) 222-2030 today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with one our our Dayton car accident attorneys.
The car accident lawyers at Cowan & Hilgeman Law have been fighting for Ohioans for over 27 years. We serve the greater Dayton area, with our personal injury law office centrally located at the 12 W. MONUMENT AVE., SUITE 100, DAYTON, OH 45402.
Our dedicated offices can be found in the heart of Downtown Dayton. As a Dayton native, Jack Hilgeman knows the importance of helping local people after an accident, injury, or wrongful death of a loved one. Our team of personal injury and car accident attorneys are here to help whether you have been injured at work, in a car or 18-wheeler accident, in a motorcycle accident, have been prescribed a defective drug, or need help fighting for a loved on who has been hurt or abused while in the a nursing home facility. Jack Hilgeman wants to fight for you, even against big corporations.
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We want to hear from you! If you or a loved one has a personal injury case, contact us for a free consultation. You can fill out the form on this page or call us at (937) 222-2030, and one of our personal injury attorneys will reach out to you for a free case review. We work on a contingency fee basis. So If we take on your case, you won’t have to pay us anything unless we win!
Hurt in a car accident? Call our Dayton car accident lawyers now.
In 2021, Dayton Highway Patrol has already investigated 287 crashes. This number amounts to 2 more vehicle crash investigations than during the whole of 2020, setting us on track to experience a particularly deadly 2021. After reporting an accident within the city of Dayton, injury lawyer Jack Hilgeman might be the next person you want to call.
Families whose loved ones were seriously injured or killed in a Dayton car accident need legal help. They need to claim compensation for their financial losses, including medical expenses, lost present and future salary, and pain and suffering. They need Dayton car accident lawyers to handle their personal injury lawsuit. We are ready and waiting to take your call.
Accident victims and their families can get professional legal assistance from the car accident attorneys at Cowan & Hilgeman. Legal options can be discussed with you, and we will work hard to find out the best way to resolve your case, whether that’s a settlement or a personal injury lawsuit.
Our experienced Ohio car accident lawyers have championed thousands of Ohio victims’ rights for more than 30 years, and a Dayton accident lawyer with Cowan & Hilgeman can help you, too. Likewise, one of the car accident lawyers from our firm can fight for your best interests if you’re in that area.
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Jack kept in contact with me regularly, keeping my updated with the details and status of my case. He helped maximize my settlement while also taking care of all my medical bill payments and advocating on my behalf. I would definitely recommend this office to anyone looking for a good lawyer team.
Being involved in a car accident can be a trying time in one’s life. Experiencing an injury from such an event changes your life. No matter the perceived extent of your injury, you should not ignore them. One of the most controversial and common injuries in rear-end collisions is Whiplash. So What is the big deal about Whiplash? What do you do if you have Whiplash from an Ohio car accident?
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a non-medical term used to cover the symptoms of neck pain. It results from sudden trauma of forceful back-and-forth motion of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. It happens most commonly when involved in a rear-end collision – even at speeds as low as 5 mph. Over 2 million American suffer from this type of injury every year. Whiplash usually has a recovery period of at least a few weeks. You should not treat this injury lightly! Even though they are rare, long-term complications do occur. Even minor pain can indicate the very real threat of a fracture and should be checked at the hospital or at your family doctor’s office.
If you have been injured in a car accident – get help immediately. Call 911!
Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull
Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms
Tingling or numbness in the arms
Fatigue
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Sleep disturbances
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Memory problems
Depression
What should you do if you have whiplash?
Just like any other injury in a car accident, there are steps you should take to protect yourself.
To learn more about what to do if you are in an Ohio car accident, click here.
Whiplash is linked to rear-end collisions, meaning someone has usually hit you with their car – and you may not be at fault. If you or a loved one has suffered from Whiplash and do not know what to do, we are here for you. Call our offices to schedule and appointment and allow us to help you navigate the confusing aftermath of an Ohio car crash. You don’t have to suffer alone.
It’s a beautiful morning in Dayton. You have the day off, so you decide to take a drive across town to visit an old friend. You stop to fill up your tank, but upon leaving the gas station, the unthinkable happens: you are involved in a car crash. Still in shock, you look around while feeling dizzy. You realize your head hurts. You know that you need to take action, but what is it? What do you do if you have a head injury from an Ohio car accident?
Before you panic, try to take a few deep breaths.
No one wakes up thinking they will be hurt. While accidents are unpredictable, there are a few things you can do to help manage bad situations like this. First and foremost, ask yourself a few questions to get oriented and figure out what steps you need to take next.
Are you safely out of the roadway?
Look around if you are able, and if possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road. Also, engage your hazard lights.
Can you assess the extent of your injuries?
Do a mental run-through of your body, and see what hurts. Can you move your neck? Are you feeling any tingles, dizziness, or numbness in your limbs? Be careful of fast motions- people in shock often don’t realize how much they are hurt while adrenaline is active in their system.
Is help on the way?
If there is anyone else stopped at the scene, ask if they have call 911 or the police. If not, make the call immediately to help prevent further issues.
Remember to see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you feel like your head injury is mild, you need to be examined. According to Dr. Rachel Banks “Many patients report car accident injuries arising 2 to 3 days after the incident and often leave a crash reporting no injuries.”
The most common types of head injuries, aka traumatic brain injuires (TBI’s), result from car accidents. They vary in severity, but all types of head injuries from an Ohio car accident should be taken seriously. For more information about brain injuries from Ohio car accidents, click here. The following list are common head injuries, and how you can recognize if you are suffering from them:
Concussion – a sudden change in movement results in your brain hitting the inside skull. Symptoms include :Loosing consciousness, Headache or feeling pressure, Amnesia about the accident/confusion, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Slurred speech, Feeling dazed or light headed, Ringing in the ears (tinnitus), Feeling tired or fatigued, Personality changes, and Difficulty concentrating.
Contusion – if your head hits the steering wheel, or an object in the car flies into you, you may wind up having a bruise on the brain or contusion. Symptoms can be similar to a concussion, but also include: Difficulty forming new memories, Numbness or tingling at the point of impact, Difficulty balancing or coordinating motions, and Difficulty forming sentences.
Penetrating head wounds – when an object pierces your skull, this can be very serious. Even if you can’t feel it complications from a penetrating head wound include: Heavy blood loss, Bleeding from the ears, Seizure, Difficulty breathing, Loss of movement or sensation in limbs, Paralysis, Loss of consciousness, Loss of bowel and bladder function, and even can result in a coma
What happens next?
After the initial accident has passed, you’ve visited a doctor, and you have been diagnosed with a head injury, what should you do? Should you file an insurance claim, or a personal injury case? These important questions shouldn’t be pushed aside. Your whole life may change due to a head injury from an Ohio car accident. You may lose wages and time at work, have difficulty adjusting to new limitations, and be unable to maintain your former role in the relationships in your life. The sooner you reach out for help, the sooner you can reclaim your life.
You don’t have to suffer through this alone. Our knowledgeable, dedicated firm can guide you every step of the way through your case, and help you to get the fair compensation you deserve. Don’t wait! Set up an appointment for a case consultation today.
A car accident can change your life permanently. If you have suffered any type of brain injury from a car accident, you will need to adjust your daily activities to accommodate your new normal. But what can you expect to face after such an injury? Furthermore, if you weren’t at fault for the accident, how do you hold others accountable for it? How can you receive the compensation you deserve after such a traumatic event?
What is a brain injury?
According to brainline.org ¨Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to damage or destruction of brain tissue due to a blow to the head.¨
There are many types of traumatic brain injuries, however, for the purpose of this article we are going to focus on ¨closed¨ injuries. One of the most common issues after an accident is whiplash. The quick movement of the head back and forth causes the brain to make contact with the skull- and can cause severe damage. This contact can lead to broken blood vessels, bruising, and can stretch and break the nerves responsible for proper brain function. This is why many patients who suffer a brain injury from an Ohio car accident have damage to their frontal and temporal lobes.
memory Brain injury Ohio car accident
What happens after you have a brain injury from an Ohio car accident?
First and foremost, if you believe that you have suffered from a brain injury- get help! Call 911 if you are able, and have paramedics sent to you.
Many people assume you have to pass out to have a closed brain injury. This is NOT true!
Even a mild brain injury can impair your cognitive abilities, change your behavior, and impact your ability to enjoy life or work to earn a living. Regardless of the severity of your injury, you should see a doctor after a possible brain injury from an Ohio car accident.
Do you have any of the following symptoms?
severe or unrelenting headaches
changes in you behavior or mood
dizziness
misplaced time
disorientation
memory loss
slurred speech
weakness in limbs
If so, consult with a doctor as soon as possible.
So, what happens next?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain injury, it will change your whole life. The physical and emotional toll may impact your friends, family, and work-life. Beyond these hurdles, your journey to recovery is often arduous and expensive. Fighting these types of personal injury claims can be long and complicated, but you don’t have to do this alone. Our compassionate team is here to help you receive the fair and full compensation that you deserve. Call us at (937) 222-2030 for a case evaluation today, and eliminate one type of headache caused by dealing with your brain injury.
Being involved in a car accident can be a life-altering experience. Even a minor accident can result in a confusing chain of events, from the moment your vehicle makes impact, there are important steps you will need to take to make the whole incident as painless as possible. But what if you suffer from an injury, like a fracture in an Ohio car accident? What do you do next?
First things first – if you have an injury, get help!
If you think that you have a fracture, you will need to have x rays at the hospital. Call 911 and ask them to dispatch emergency personnel – paramedics and the police.
You will need to file an accident report with local law enforcement anyway, so don’t hesitate to call.
Speaking of documentation, if you are feeling well enough to walk around, take photos of the scene before anything is moved, exchange insurance info with the other involved party, and see if there are any witnesses who are willing to make a statement about what they saw. Try to gather as much evidence as you can, without overextending yourself. It can help you later.
If you can go to the hospital immediately, go as soon as possible.
Leaving an injury untreated for any amount of time can lead to serious health complications later on. It can also make your legal case more difficult.
While you are in the ER, ask the doctor who sees you for copies of any reports they file, including the extent of your injuries, any referrals to see an orthopedic surgeon or physical therapy, and orders for when you can return to work. Having this information all together can help you to file a strong case if you choose to go that route.
So you’ve seen a doctor, determined you have a fracture, and are now at a loss about what to do.
Should you file a lawsuit? Take a settlement? File a claim on your own insurance? These are very important questions, and the answers will vary on a case by case basis; however, here are some general guidelines for the state of Ohio:
The statute of limitations in Ohio is two years, meaning you have two years from the date of the accident to file a suit or claim. If you go over that time period (with a few exceptions for minors or other circumstances) you will not be able to file at all.
Modified comparative fault laws exist in Ohio, meaning that you could be determined to bear a portion of responsibility for the accident- say if you were speeding, or not paying attention to the road and react too slowly when you notice the other driver coming towards you. This can modify any damages awarded to you. If you are found to be 50% negligent or more, you may not receive any damages at all.
Being aware of what your insurance policy and the other person’s insurance type is important. If they only have the bare minimum liability insurance required in Ohio ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, with $25,000 for property damage) your total losses may not be covered by the damages awarded by the insurance company. You may be offered a settlement, but that may not be your only option.
In these cases, you may want to consult a personal injury attorney for guidance. Facing an auto accident can be an extremely overwhelming experience, but you don’t have to face the claims procedure alone. A dedicated, experienced personal injury with focus exclusively on helping to receive the compensation you deserve. Don’t risk losing out on your case. Contact an Ohio Personal injury attorney you can trust today. Cowan & Hilgeman offers free phone or video consultations, with no obligation at all – call (937) 222-2030 today to schedule a chat with our experienced personal injury attorney who can tell you exactly what to do if you have suffered from a fracture in an Ohio car accident
"I obtained the services of Jack and they made sure that everything was taken care of to aleviate stressors, and made my tragedy much easier to cope with without the extra mental burden of my pending case. The staff is always friendly and helpful and you couldnt find a better team to defend you or your family." Daniel U U
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Dayton, OH 45402
