A car accident in Hollywood or South Florida is always terrifying, but it can be even more so if you’re expecting a baby and you are concerned about your child as well as your health. Unfortunately, car accidents can damage unborn children, can cause early labor, and can lead to other distress to both the mom and the baby.
If you are pregnant, there are several things you will want to do to stay safe as possible:
- Get your car checked. Make sure your car responds correctly and is as safe as possible. A mechanical tune-up at the start of your pregnancy can ensure the brakes, tires, windshield wipers and all other systems are working correctly to protect you in case you need to make a sudden maneuver to prevent injury.
- Make sure you understand how to fasten your seat belt. The way you wear your seatbelt will change when you are pregnant, especially as you head towards the third trimester. Read the owner’s manual which comes with your car to understand how to buckle up safely. Be sure to read the instructions about your airbags, too. In general, women who are pregnant should wear the safety belt low on their bodies, under the belly and on the upper thighs. The upper portion should be across the collarbone.
- Consider being a passenger more often. As you progress in your pregnancy, it is safer to ride in the backseat because any detonation of the airbag can result in trauma to the baby.
- Use extra caution on the road. This is a good time to practice defensive driving and to leave extra space between you and the car in front of you. You want to improve your chances of avoiding a car accident whenever possible.
- Adjust your steering wheel. Push your seat back so there is at least ten inches of space between you and the steering wheel to prevent crushing injuries in the event of a collision. Angle the wheel so it is not aimed at your stomach.
- Adjust your driving for pregnancy-related symptoms. Women note they experience symptoms such as morning sickness, dizziness, and fatigue when pregnant. If this applies to you, contact your doctor about any symptoms which worry you and be sure to evaluate your ability to drive before you get behind the wheel. If you feel very unwell or quite tired, it may be safer to find an alternate mode of transport until you feel better.
- If you are in any accident, get emergency medical help at once. Even if seems like a minor crash and you feel fine, visit a doctor immediately.
Even if you do everything right and drive with due caution, other drivers may not be making the same responsible choices as you. If you are injured by an unsafe driver, there are many things you can do. Contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to speak to a personal injury attorney in Hollywood about your possible claim. Your first consultation with us is always free.