Pregnancy and Auto Accident Risks
Study Highlights Possible Consequences of Car Crash for Pregnant Women
According to the findings of a new study, auto accidents are the biggest threat to the health and welfare of pregnant women and their unborn children. The findings highlight the potential long-term consequences for the pregnancy that may result from an accident, and the importance of being aware of these risks following a car crash, especially when considering a possible personal injury settlement.
In a study (PDF) published this week in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers from North Carolina confirm that car crashes are the leading cause of fetal morbidity and mortality.
The research looks at data on more than 878,000 pregnant women in North Carolina between 2001 and 2008, finding that the more accidents a pregnant women was involved in, the more likely than other mothers that there was a traumatic injury or adverse outcome for the pregnancy, such as preterm birth, stillbirth or placental eruption.
Researchers also found that pregnant women who did not wear a seat belt fared worse than those who did, and women who were in cars without airbags suffered increased risk of placental eruption and preterm birth.
These findings about the use of seat belts by pregnant women go against beliefs held by many that restraints may endanger unborn children. However, researchers indicate that women who did not wear a seatbelt were three times as likely to suffer a stillbirth if they were in an accident than women who buckled up.
Among women looked at for the study, 2% did not wear seatbelts at the time of their accident and 18% were in cars without air bags. Researchers concluded:
“This study highlights the importance of crashes during pregnancy and their possible adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. Clinicians should be aware of these effects and should advise pregnant women about the risk of being in a crash and the long-term consequences that crashes can have on their pregnancies. Given the associations that were observed, a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding crashes during pregnancy is needed to develop effective strategies for prevention.”
According to previous data from a University of Michigan study, there are about 170,000 auto accidents in the U.S. each year involving pregnant women, and they result in the deaths of about 370 unborn babies.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides the following safety tip for pregnant drivers:
- Wear a seat belt
- Move your seat back as far as possible.
- Make sure you can operate the pedals comfortably
- Keep at least 10 inches between the center of your chest and the steering wheel throughout your pregnancy.
Following an accident, it is critical for pregnant woman to receive prompt medical care and to continue to consider the effects of an accident throughout the pregnancy. While many insurance companies attempt to make minimal settlement offers following an accident, pregnant women should contact a lawyer and ensure that the crash does not have an impact on the health of their pregnancy before considering any settlement.
The auto accident lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations and claim evaluations and can help review what legal options may be available. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so there are never any out-of-pocket costs and we receive no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained. Protect your family following an accident, contact our lawyers for a free case evaluation.
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