Table of Contents
When In My Pregnancy Should I Stop Driving?
For many pregnant women, a major concern in their lives is protecting the health of their unborn child. It is important to know when it is safe to drive during pregnancy, as well as what steps to take to reduce the risk of injury, both to yourself and your unborn child.
Negligent drivers are legally responsible for the injuries they cause to pregnant women. Our injury lawyers at Arash Law have experience handling car accident cases involving pregnant injury victims. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation, and continue reading to learn more about driving safely while pregnant and how to protect your legal rights after an auto accident.
The Research On Driving While Pregnant
NPR spoke with a leading car accident researcher about the risk of driving while pregnant. He found that the risk was greatest during the second trimester.
The possibility of an accident in the second trimester was almost twice as high as the risk of being in a car accident during the first trimester of pregnancy. Though some pregnant women might consider delegating the driving responsibilities to a male partner, this is not often a good idea. Research shows that young adult men have even higher crash rates than pregnant women.
So what is the answer? Though it sounds simple, the researcher told NPR that pregnant women need to simply be aware of the risks and drive more carefully. Though it sounds simple, the issue is not discussed nearly enough during the early stages of pregnancy.
The researcher first investigated the issue precisely because his pregnant patients did not ask about staying safe in the car. They inquired about flying, scuba diving, roller coasters, and other adventurous activities, but they did not ask about the risks they faced every day while on the road.
Tips For Safe Driving During Pregnancy
While it is not possible to eliminate every risk on the road, there are some simple steps that pregnant women can take to protect themselves and their unborn children.
- Banner Health reports that pregnant women should always wear a seatbelt and maintain the correct position. Remember, your body changes during pregnancy, so your usual seatbelt position may need to change. Place the lower strap of the seat belt below the abdomen (on top of the legs and just above the hip bones). Place the upper shoulder strap across the middle of your chest. The upper strap should not lie directly across your baby bump.
- Be especially mindful of your new symptoms. If you have experienced sudden nausea, dizziness, or excessive fatigue, driving could be unsafe. Check carefully how your body is reacting to the pregnancy.
- Avoid sharp, fast turns or sudden braking. Slow down in every situation so you have more time to react, and so your baby will not be subjected to sudden movements.
- Sit in the back seat whenever possible.
- Confirm if the airbag system has not been deactivated or compromised. Doctors agree that airbags, in conjunction with seat belts, provide significant protection for pregnant women in the event of an accident.
According to Healthline, you should not drive while pregnant in the following circumstances:
- Don’t drive if you are experiencing nausea, dizziness, vertigo, or lightheadedness. You never know when this can hit, and it can be dangerous to operate a motor vehicle if you have an unexpected attack of morning sickness.
- Additionally, avoid driving if you cannot fit your seatbelt to your changing body. If you feel crushed or uncomfortable, do not stay in the seatbelt for a long drive. Verify if you’re comfortable moving around to check your blind spots and perform other critical driving tasks.
- It may not be a good idea to take a long road trip while pregnant. In addition to needing more frequent bathroom breaks, you are also at a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis. Also known as DVT, deep vein thrombosis is a potentially fatal condition in which a blood clot forms in your body. Because blood circulation is more difficult in a pregnant body, there is a higher risk for blood clots anytime a pregnant woman stays in one position for too long.
- Pregnancy brain is real. If you find it difficult to pay attention, concentrate on tasks, or remember simple things, driving may not be a safe activity.
- Don’t drive while you are in labor. Even mild contractions can escalate quickly and leave you unable to operate your vehicle. Other dangerous medical conditions can develop quickly. In addition to endangering yourself, your unborn child, and other drivers on the road, these conditions can be fatal. You need medical attention when you are in labor.
Medical Advice About Traveling While Pregnant
Advice about traveling while pregnant should come from your doctor, taking into account your specific situation. Follow your doctor’s advice carefully. Pushing the limits even “just a little bit” or “just this one time” can endanger everyone on the road, not to mention yourself and your unborn baby. Some pregnancies are considered high-risk.
If you develop preeclampsia, have a history of complicated pregnancies, or have any other risk factors, your doctor may advise you not to travel at all. Whether your doctor advises against travel depends on your unique situation, including your medical history, risk factors, prior pregnancies, and the progress of your pregnancy. These complicating factors are why it is important to have an obstetrician familiar with your history to monitor your pregnancy throughout all stages. Whatever advice your doctor gives you, be sure to follow it exactly.
Driving At Different Stages Of Pregnancy
There are different risks to be aware of when traveling at each stage of your pregnancy. Be aware of how these risks will change throughout your pregnancy:
First Trimester
The NPR study reports that the risk of car accidents in the first trimester is about the same as before pregnancy. This fact does not mean you should not take precautions. Morning sickness is common during the first trimester, and this can hinder you at unexpected times. You must also be aware of your changing body. Position your seat belt properly every time you are in the car.
Second Trimester
As we have reported, research shows that the risk of car accidents is higher during the second trimester of pregnancy compared to the first. There are many reasons for this: “pregnancy brain” is common, as well as ongoing morning sickness. Hormones are also strong during the second trimester. They, too, can affect your mood and ability to concentrate.
Fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and stress are also common in the second trimester. Be mindful of all these risks. Pay attention to the physical, mental, and emotional changes in your body. Carefully assess these changes to determine whether they are affecting your ability to drive safely.
Third Trimester
The risk of driving in the third trimester seems to drop off after the third trimester. By the time the baby is born, the risk of causing a car accident is even lower than before the pregnancy. (Obviously, having a new baby in the car is a major factor in driving as safely as possible.) This fact does not mean that you can ignore the risk of driving in the third trimester. Many women experience false labor, Braxton Hicks contractions, and other conditions toward the end of their pregnancies.
These conditions can develop unexpectedly. Do not assume that you will often safely operate a motor vehicle during your third trimester. Also, consider the growing baby bump, the increased risk of blood clots, lower blood pressure, and other conditions that may develop in the third trimester.
What To Do If You Are In A Car Accident While Pregnant
Car accidents are stressful, but when you’re pregnant, the health of your unborn child is at stake. Knowing what to do after a car accident is vital for you and your baby’s health. It is also important to understand what actions may affect your legal rights, including when to speak with a car accident lawyer.
The following steps are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice:
Get Out Of The Path Of Oncoming Traffic.
Traffic accidents often cause secondary accidents. Onlookers might be “rubbernecking” and looking at the accident scene instead of the traffic ahead of them. Get out of the way of danger to prevent any further injuries to you or your baby. Find a safe spot far away from traffic. If you can move your vehicle, get it out of the way. If not, simply leave your car in the road and find a safe place to wait for help.
Call 911.
It is common for the other driver to ask you not to call the police. They might offer to “work it out” or assure you that their insurance will handle everything without a police report. Calling 911 can help you get an initial evaluation of your and your baby’s conditions and determine if your baby is safe.
A police report can also help support your case, as insurance companies consider the police a more neutral source of information than the drivers involved in the accident.
Get Immediate Medical Attention.
Depending on the accident’s severity, you might need to go to the hospital in an ambulance right away. Going directly to the hospital might not be necessary in the case of a minor fender bender. Use your judgment about how you can get to a doctor. However you get there, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Your obstetrician will likely want to put you on a fetal monitor so they can check that the baby is okay. Be cautious, keeping in mind that both your health and your baby’s health could be at risk.
See Your Regular Obstetrician As Soon As Possible.
Even if you see an ER doctor or an on-call obstetrician, it is still important to check in with your regular obstetrician promptly. Your regular obstetrician knows your medical history and pregnancy history. This knowledge puts them in a better position to develop a long-term treatment plan for monitoring your baby.
Emergency care can help assess whether your baby is not in immediate danger. Still, follow-up care from your regular obstetrician can help prevent any further complications for the duration of your pregnancy.
Find An Accident Lawyer.
Once your immediate medical needs are met, consider consulting with an injury lawyer if you decide to pursue a claim to help protect your legal rights. Even saying something simple, like “I didn’t see you!” can be used against you.
Your accident lawyer provides clear legal guidance and helps you make informed decisions about your case. Your injury lawyer will also handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf. A California car accident lawyer can also take steps to preserve critical evidence, such as the physical evidence from the crash scene.
Without taking action, other parties could inadvertently destroy this evidence. For example, security video footage is routinely erased to make room for more data. If your car accident attorney needs the video footage, they will contact the camera’s owner to preserve the evidence.
Follow All Advice For The Continued Monitoring And Treatment Of Your Unborn Child.
If you have pregnancy complications or your baby has complex injuries, follow all your doctors’ recommendations. Continued monitoring and treatment from your medical team can help address your needs and support your and your baby’s health.
Following treatment recommendations not only protects your health, but it can also help support your claim. Insurance companies sometimes claim that a victim made their injuries worse by failing to follow through on their medical treatment. Failing to seek medical attention or follow your treatment plan can limit the amount of compensation you may be able to pursue.
Talk To Your Lawyer If You Have Any Concerns About Paying For Your Medical Care.
Medical care is expensive. Many injury victims struggle to pay their medical bills while waiting for a personal injury settlement, especially if they are out of work at the same time. If you have any concerns about paying for your medical care, talk to your personal injury lawyer.
There may be options for getting care from medical providers who do not require payment up front. These providers work on a lien, which means they have a loan against your personal injury settlement for the cost of their bills. Your health insurance provider (including Medicare and Medicaid) is also required to cover medical care under your existing contract, even if a negligent driver caused your injuries.
Document All The Physical Pain And Emotional Suffering You Endure As A Result Of The Car Accident.
A significant component of many personal injury settlements is compensation for pain and suffering, especially if the injury victim is pregnant. When an injury victim must worry about the safety of an unborn child, their pain and suffering are greater. This worry can continue for weeks or months as doctors continue to monitor the baby.
It is important to document all the ways you are suffering as a result of the accident. Loss of sleep, inability to go to work, physical pain and discomfort, missing activities, and many other areas of your life can be affected. You might also find that your injuries impair your interpersonal relationships. You might be more impatient and angry with your partner because you are in pain.
Perhaps your relationship with your boss is strained because your productivity is not as high as you worry about your baby. All of these changes are a result of your pain and suffering due to the injuries and may be included as part of your claim.
It can be difficult to track and communicate the full extent of your pain and suffering on your own. A personal injury lawyer can help you by gathering evidence, consulting professionals, and showing how the accident has affected both your health and daily life as part of your claim.
Injured In An Accident While Pregnant? Call Us To Speak With A California Auto Accident Attorney
If you are looking for “California car accident lawyers near me,” Arash Law is ready to assist you. Our skilled motor vehicle accident attorneys have decades of experience advocating for the rights of our clients across the Golden State.
We serve clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and other areas in California. Our injury lawyers are experienced in handling cases with complex legal and medical issues, including those related to pregnancy. Call (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here to schedule your free initial consultation.
