Pregnancy is stressful enough without the added pressure of a car accident. If you are pregnant and worry about getting into an accident, there are some steps you should be aware of so you don’t further stress yourself out. The following are some things you should do to best handle a car accident when you’re expecting a baby.
Take a Deep Breath and Don’t Panic
It’s easy to hyperventilate when you’re panicked, and while you have good reason to be concerned, it’s in yours and your baby’s best interest for you to stay calm. Take slow, steady, and deep breaths, similar to what you might have already learned at a Lamaze class. If someone is there with you, don’t be afraid to ask to hold a hand for support so you can feel that there is someone by your side if anything gets worse.
Call for Help
You should never leave the scene of an accident when you’re pregnant without first being seen by a paramedic. Even a small fender bender could have serious effects on you and the baby. For this reason, it’s important you ask for medical attention at the scene of the accident. If a police officer shows up without any paramedics, ask for him or her to call for more help. If there are no paramedics available, have someone take you to a hospital to be examined.
Contact Your Obstetrician
Even though you’ll be seen by a paramedic or emergency room doctor, you should follow up with your obstetrician. He or she may want to see you for an exam in addition to what you experienced in the emergency room. You might have a series of tests to undergo, and the doctor may want to monitor both you and the baby to ensure everyone is healthy. If your doctor has specific instructions for you, such as going on bed rest, do not ignore those instructions.
Report to Your Insurer
Your insurance provider will need to know about your accident, whether it was your fault or not. A simple call informing the insurer that you were in an accident is sufficient for now. If something more is required, a representative will typically get in touch with you. If the accident was the other driver’s fault, you should also contact his or her insurer to report the accident and give notice of your intent to file a claim in the near future.
Getting Started
To get started with handling your car accident, it may benefit you to have the help of an attorney. Call a car accident lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Longwood, FL, to discuss your accident today.
Thanks to David & Philpot, PL for their insight into what to do if you are pregnant adn get into a car accident.