Traffic Collisions and the Dangers to Pregnant Women and Unborn Children

The thought of being involved in a traffic accident can be so strong in some people that they may never want to climb into a car, SUV, minivan, or taxi cab ever again. This is perhaps not so much of an irrational fear as others may think, especially considering the range of injuries that can occur as a result of a bad roadway collision. As Baltimore auto injury attorneys, we at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, fully understand the trepidation with which many people approach automobile travel.

The fact is, there are tens of thousands of people here in Maryland alone, who each year receive some kind of injury as a result of a car, commercial truck or motorcycle-related wreck. Many of these individuals will spend only a brief few hours in a hospital emergency room and go home the very same day. Others, especially those who sustain serious or life-threatening injuries, may find themselves lying in a hospital bed for days, weeks or months.

There is no rhyme or reason to most traffic collisions that occur in our state. Regardless of whether one drives a passenger car to work, commutes to school by motor scooter, or uses a shuttle service to go shopping, the opportunities for bodily injury and even death due to the negligent actions of just one person can be unsettling.

As personal injury lawyers, it’s safe to say that most of the road-going public, to some degree or another, discounts the risks they face by assuming that today, at least, they will not be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But this is only a way of coping, since there are real dangers, and the statistics bear it out. Looking at the populace as a whole, it is likely that mothers-to-be may be one of the more cautious segments of the population.

It is no surprise that most expectant mothers take extremely careful measures to avoid any harm that might come to them or their unborn children. Eating right, getting the proper amount of sleep and exercise, and even avoiding certain harsh environments can seem to be an obsession with some women who want the best for their unborn son or daughter. Now, consider the risks involved with driving or riding in a motor vehicle while carrying a baby. This is no doubt a topic of great anxiety for some pregnant women.

No parent or parent-to-be wants to contemplate the circumstances that could lead to the injury of one of their children. Yet, as automobile and commercial trucking accident lawyers, our legal staff knows that the opportunities for serious traffic collisions do exist all across Maryland nearly every day of the year. Serious traffic-related injuries and untimely deaths are unfortunately an unavoidable consequence of living in our modern society.

Because auto accidents are indeed an ever-present danger in and around cities like Gaithersburg, Rockville, Columbia and the District, parents these days are increasingly vigilant when it comes to their children’s safety both inside a vehicle as well as outside. But even a parent’s best efforts can be thwarted by the actions of a thoughtless or reckless motorist. In fact, each year across this country about 30,000 pregnant women are caught up in auto accidents, which can result in serious medical complications such as miscarriage, premature birth, birth defects and other problems.

For those mothers-to-be who are exceedingly cautious when driving, it is important to remember that even a relatively insignificant traffic collision can result in severe trauma to an unborn child. One such medical condition that can result from even a minor impact on the road is known as a “contra coup injury.” Another type of fetal injury is known as “placenta abruption,” which can cause the placenta to be prematurely detached from the uterine wall. This is a critical medical condition that can place not only the baby, but also the mother’s health in serious and potentially life-threatening danger. Internal bleeding, severe abdominal pain and dizziness can result from a case of placental abruption.

In general, trauma to the fetus itself can be accompanied by severe abdominal pain, urgent or painful urination, excessive vaginal bleeding with dizziness and loss of consciousness. Other signs of fetal distress can include swelling of the mother’s face or fingers, chills or fever, severe headache, as well as a change in the baby’s movement.

It is important to remember that outward symptoms are not always evident. In fact, even a low-speed car or truck crash may result in injury, especially during a high-risk pregnancy. Because of this, it is important to have a medical professional perform a thorough check of the unborn baby, as well as the mother following any kind of motor vehicle accident. In more severe traffic accidents, there is also a chance that a normal pregnancy may become high-risk as a result.

As experienced trial lawyers and skilled personal injury attorneys, the legal staff at Lebowitz & Mzhen understands the distractions that accident victims experience following a bad car or commercial trucking wreck. And while there is always the necessity of filing the required insurance reports and damage claims, a mother-to-be must consider her unborn child as her first priority. Once she has gotten the proper medical care following a traffic collision, then it may be time to contact a qualified auto accident lawyer with experience in personal injury lawsuits.

If a car accident is found to be the cause of an injury or death of an unborn child, it is important to know that Maryland law allows for personal injury claims by the parents. Generally, if the fetus survives the accident, an injury claim may be filed once the baby is born and its injuries assessed and documented; this assumes that a link can be found between the baby’s injuries and the particular auto accident.

If a previously-living and healthy fetus were not to survive a car crash -- and if it can be proven that the car accident in question was the cause of the death of that unborn child -- then the loss of that unborn baby would become part and parcel of the mother’s personal injury claim against the negligent driver. This would be an important consideration when deciding whether or not to retain the services of a qualified personal injury attorney.

Being long-time trial attorneys, Lebowitz & Mzhen are ready to provide the legal assistance needed by mothers and fathers of children injured or killed as a result of a traffic collision or other negligence-related roadway accident. While we advise caution when traveling on Maryland’s beltways and interstates, the potential for serious injury or death is always there. If you or your family members are involved a crash, our skilled legal team is ready and able to assist your family.

No matter what the situation, we recommend victims of injury accidents to speak with a qualified automobile and commercial trucking accident lawyer. With years of trial experience and the skills and training to litigate auto injury cases, our attorneys are ready to speak with you about your case. We recommend this so that you may be better informed regarding your legal options when looking into a personal injury lawsuit. Call our toll-free number at (800) 654-1949, or contact Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen by email to arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation.