Legal Options for Pregnant Passengers in Car Accidents

If you are pregnant and involved in a car accident, you need to know your rights. With quality legal counsel, you can pursue the compensation you deserve.

Complications for Pregnant Passengers in Alaska Car Accidents

Car accidents are the second leading cause of death for pregnant women, behind only diabetes. An experienced car accident lawyer can pursue these cases.

Placental abortion is among the leading health problems, with the placenta detaching from the uterus, depriving the infant of oxygen and nutrients. This complication calls for immediate medical attention and may justify large claims in damages for medical expenses, emotional distress, and other losses.

Direct fetal injury also carries risks. Accidents can cause forceful impacts that lead to injuries to the fetus. Such injuries can cause permanent damage, leading to claims for immediate and future care costs.

In addition, uterine rupture, a rare but deadly tear of the uterus, can be fatal for mother and child, sometimes requiring emergency surgery.

Car accidents can cause premature birth, which causes development problems and substantial medical expenses.

Hypovolemic Shock, a condition involving massive blood loss that places the mother and fetus at risk of permanent health impacts, also puts pregnant accident victims at risk.

In the worst cases, trauma can cause miscarriage and means emotional and psychological trauma, as well as potential claims for emotional and punitive damages.

Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Alaska

The complications pregnant mothers experience in car accidents may be addressed with a personal injury lawsuit. A seasoned car accident lawyer near me can help you realize and understand your legal options and get the compensation you deserve.

Proving Liability in an Alaska Accident Claim

To establish negligence and seek damages, you must prove:

  1. Duty of Care: Alaska drivers must ensure the safety of other road users, including passengers and pedestrians.
  2. Breach of Duty: Drivers are legally required to act reasonably. However, when they don’t, for example, driving while distracted or impaired, they breach this duty, perhaps creating legal liability.
  3. Causation: In a personal injury claim, you must prove the driver’s actions directly caused your injuries.
  4. Damages Suffered: You also should prove damages resulted due to the accident. You could recover the following damages:
    • Economic damages. These are quantifiable and tangible damages, including lost earning capacity, current and future medical expenses, and lost wages.
    • Non-economic damages. Economic damages are intangible and difficult to quantify. Examples include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and lack of enjoyment of life.

Per Alaska’s “pure comparative negligence” rule, even if you are partly at fault, you can still get compensation, but your share of the fault lowers it. This flexibility will enable you to recover damages even if you are found, for example, 20% responsible for the collision.

After an accident, you need a qualified lawyer to help you through the justice system to ensure that you can secure the compensation you need to recover. hire a local attorney to protect your rights and discuss your legal options.

Featured Image Source: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/pregnant-woman-with-safety-seat-belt-gm1151744136-312222855?searchscope=image%2Cfilm

About Nina Abernathy

Nina Abernathy is a business communication specialist who writes about improving presentation skills and public speaking. He believes clear communication is key to business success.