Can Car Accidents Cause Miscarriage?

It’s a sad fact that traumatic car accidents can cause a miscarriage or other types of pregnancy-related injuries. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), there are an estimated 1,500 to 5,000 fetal losses each year that result from pregnant mothers in car accidents. Pregnant women in their first trimester are especially at risk of miscarriage. If you’ve been involved in a car wreck, it’s vital to see your doctor or OB/GYN immediately if you’re pregnant.

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How Do Car Accidents Result in a Miscarriage?

Any sudden trauma sustained by a pregnant woman can put her in danger of having a miscarriage. When a car suddenly stops, crashes, or the airbag deploys in an accident, the force can be strong enough to cause a complication that may lead to a miscarriage. While injuries to the unborn baby occur in less than ten percent of all car crashes across the U.S. that involve pregnant women, it’s never worth the risk, making it necessary for women to get immediate medical care after a car accident.

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view of a baby's hand and face in the hospital

Types of Pregnancy-Related Injuries from a Car Crash

The majority of car crashes are minor and less likely to result in childbirth-related problems. Even many severe car accidents do not impact the pregnancy or the unborn baby. However, the effect of other injuries caused by the collision can lead to complications, direct damage to the fetus, or trigger a miscarriage.

Possible pregnancy-related injuries from a car crash include:

  • Premature birth: The impact of the collision can cause stress on the mother that results in early labor. Babies born prematurely can suffer a variety of problems, like infections and neurological conditions.
  • High-risk pregnancy: If injuries don’t result in premature birth, the pregnancy can be high-risk that often involves the mother’s health after the baby is born.
  • Placental abruption: This occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterus prematurely and can endanger the pregnancy.
  • Damage to the fetus’s brain: This condition is similar to that of “shaken baby syndrome.”
  • Fetal trauma: Whether to the head or other part of the body, this may directly injure or kill the unborn baby.
  • Miscarriage

Should a mother sustain placental abruption after a car crash, an emergency c-section is often required to remove the baby from the womb before oxygen to the baby is cut off.

Symptom That May Indicate a Risk of Miscarriage After a Car Accident

As a pregnant woman who went through a car accident, you should not delay seeking immediate medical attention. While symptoms may not develop immediately after a crash, any of the following may be a telltale sign of pregnancy-related injuries:

  • Abdominal or shoulder pain
  • Vaginal discharge or bleeding
  • Repeated vomiting different from morning sickness patterns
  • Noticeable difference in the baby’s movement or kicks
  • Recurring or severe headaches
  • Swelling in the face or fingers
  • Urgent need to urinate or pain
  • Fever, chills, dizziness, or feeling light-headed

While these symptoms don’t necessarily indicate a miscarriage, they must be taken seriously as warnings that something may be wrong. Do not waste time visiting a doctor if these signs develop.

woman on a couch with a headache from a concussion and hand on her forehead
woman on a couch with a headache from a concussion and hand on her forehead

Symptom That May Indicate a Risk of Miscarriage After a Car Accident

As a pregnant woman who went through a car accident, you should not delay seeking immediate medical attention. While symptoms may not develop immediately after a crash, any of the following may be a telltale sign of pregnancy-related injuries:

  • Abdominal or shoulder pain
  • Vaginal discharge or bleeding
  • Repeated vomiting different from morning sickness patterns
  • Noticeable difference in the baby’s movement or kicks
  • Recurring or severe headaches
  • Swelling in the face or fingers
  • Urgent need to urinate or pain
  • Fever, chills, dizziness, or feeling light-headed

While these symptoms don’t necessarily indicate a miscarriage, they must be taken seriously as warnings that something may be wrong. Do not waste time visiting a doctor if these signs develop.

Steps Victims Should Take After Being in a Car Accident While Pregnant

No matter how severe your collision, if you were pregnant, you should request emergency medical transportation to the emergency room. Whether you’re in your first or third trimester, the jolt of the crash could cause premature birth, hemorrhaging, or miscarriage. You may not notice complications for weeks after the crash, so it’s essential to have your doctor check your baby’s health just in case.

Should you experience the tragic loss of your baby because of a car accident, seek legal help from a personal injury attorney. There is nothing more heartbreaking than a traumatic miscarriage. This loss can result in significant emotional and mental anguish. While nothing can compensate for such a terrible loss, attorneys at The Barnes Firm can help you file an injury claim against the at-fault party to recover financial compensation for you, your unborn child, and your family.

Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys For Help

No mother or family should have to battle legal issues or deal with insurance companies after experiencing the heartbreaking loss of a miscarriage. These cases can be extremely emotional, legally convoluted, and demanding. Let the personal injury attorneys at The Barnes Firm help you through this challenging time. To speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your car accident today, schedule a free consultation by completing a contact form.

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