Maryland Car Accident While Pregnant
A Maryland car accident while pregnant can be a harrowing experience. As our Maryland car accident attorneys know, a collision of any kind can be overwhelming. A pregnancy can be high-stakes, even if you are not in a car accident. For some pregnancies, there are serious risks that affect the mother throughout the process. The mother cannot fly outside the country and faces other restrictions for these reasons. However, those restrictions rarely, if ever, restrict an expecting mother from entering a car. Nonetheless, that does not stop other drivers from behaving negligently, just as they would any other day. In 2024, drivers are surrounded by texting drivers, speeders, tailgaters, and drunk drivers. Thus, despite the continually improving safety technology in cars, the risk is higher than ever for pregnant women on the road.
Below, we discuss the health risks and complications for pregnant women in car accidents. While this is something your doctor can discuss in greater detail, it is worth touching on here because it relates to how we evaluate the value of your case. Then, we will discuss the legal rights available after an accident and how they may differ from victims in a typical accident. You must be careful to preserve your legal rights after these accidents. To do so, you must take immediate steps. We discuss those steps in detail below. By being well-informed, pregnant women can better navigate the aftermath of a car accident with the assistance of a seasoned car accident law firm in Maryland.
At Gelb & Gelb, we have handled thousands of Maryland car accidents, many involving pregnant women. Call our office today if you have been in an accident, and we will help you navigate the legal process.
Health Risks and Complications for Pregnant Women in Car Accidents
Car accidents can pose severe health risks and complications for pregnant women, impacting both maternal and fetal well-being. Of course, any kind of physical trauma, whether in a Maryland car accident or otherwise, can cause premature birth and severe health complications for the baby. There are also less severe possibilities that still affect the well-being of the fetus, such as placental abruption. This is when the placenta detaches from the womb. This can also result in a premature birth or even a miscarriage, depending on the stage of pregnancy the mother is in. These are more severe examples. Less severe incidents can still occur. For example, the stress that can result from a car accident can take its toll on an expecting mother’s well-being.
The stress associated with increased back pain, neck pain, and other injuries related to a car accident can take their toll. Moreover, the inability to work due to injuries from a car accident, irrespective of the pregnancy, can cause stress. Stress can have adverse effects on a pregnancy. The National Institute of Health (“NIH“) states, “Too much stress can cause you to have trouble sleeping, headaches, loss of appetite, or a tendency to overeat—all of which can be harmful to you and your developing baby.” Thus, it is imperative you speak to your obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYN) about the car accident. They can advise you on steps to take that are specific to your pregnancy and your health status. They may wish to run tests to look for things that may be unknown to you but can cause issues with your health.
Legal Rights of Pregnant Women in Maryland After a Car Accident

If you are in a Maryland car accident while pregnant, your rights are essentially the same as those of anyone else in an accident caused by another driver. The difference is in how we calculate the value of your case. As alluded to above, a car accident can produce significant complications in your pregnancy. If your OBGYN notes in your medical records that treatment is related to the car accident, we can obtain compensation for that. This is a critical piece to note. If you do not explain to your doctor that pain is related to your car accident, we will be missing a critical causation element of our claim. The adverse driver is not liable for something they did not cause.
Moreover, there is no presumption that any pain you are facing is a direct cause of your car accident while pregnant. Instead, we have the burden of proof at trial to prove that it is. Accordingly, you should follow the detailed steps below to protect your legal rights. If god forbid, the Maryland car accident while pregnant affects the health of your unborn baby, you must see your doctor or hospital immediately. Then, inform a Maryland attorney at Gelb & Gelb, and we will hold the wrongdoer accountable.
Steps to Take Immediately After the Accident
- Call 911. Calling 911 is critical for several reasons. First, when the police arrive, they will help document the scene and collect necessary evidence. Such information may include the adverse driver’s name and address, license plate information, insurance information, and any statements from witnesses. While these witness statements are not necessarily admissible at trial, they are a good starting point in preparation.
- Seek immediate medical attention. This is critical for three reasons. First, it protects your health. Second and equally as important, it protects the health of your unborn baby. Third, it creates a record of your injuries, both to you and your baby. This is critical evidence.
- Document everything. If possible, take notes and photos at the accident scene and keep all medical records and receipts related to prenatal care following the accident.
- Speak to an attorney. If you are in a Maryland car accident while pregnant, you must speak to an attorney to discuss your next steps and treatment plan. We have seven decades of experience handling cases just like this. We have represented countless pregnant women and understand the tribulations you are going through.
Compensation Claims: What Can Pregnant Women Claim For?
If you are in a Maryland car accident while pregnant, you can make a claim for the full value of your injuries. This includes a few categories of damages. First, you are entitled to full compensation for your medical expenses. But note that you cannot simply charge the adverse driver for your medical bills unless the treatment is related to the accident and your injuries. In other words, if you only go to your OBGYN one time for injuries from the accident, and she tells you that you are fine and prescribes no follow-up care, you probably cannot relate the rest of your OBGYN treatment to the car accident. Thus, you would only be entitled to compensation for that one visit. Moreover, the medical records must show that the visit is related to the car accident.
Next, if you were working before the accident but now cannot because of the accident, we can file a lost wage claim. Note that you cannot file a lost wage claim if you were not working prior to your car accident because of your pregnancy. The third general category is noneconomic damages. This accounts for pain from the injury, suffering, loss of consortium, stress, and anything else intangible that is related to the accident.
Call to Explore Your Rights After a Maryland Car Accident While Pregnant
If you are in a Maryland car accident while pregnant, you must speak to an attorney immediately to discuss your options. Call Gelb & Gelb today at (202) 331-7227 for a free consultation.
