Direct Fetal Injury

In rare cases, a fetus may sustain a direct injury. While this occurs in less than 10 percent of car accidents involving pregnant women, a direct fetal injury can be devastating. Usually, this injury type only occurs after the first three months of pregnancy, as prior to this, the pelvis still completely protects the fetus. It is after three months that the uterus protrudes, i.e. a woman is “showing”, or pregnancy is most obvious.

In the event that a pregnant woman’s stomach is struck during a car accident, her fetus may be struck as well. Most commonly, an injury to the fetus’s head occurs, as this is the largest part of a fetus’s body. The severity of the crash and the strike to the fetus determines the severity of injury. A pregnant woman can reduce her risk of a direct fetal injury by always wearing a seatbelt correctly when riding in a vehicle.

When an Auto Accident Leads to Loss of a Fetus or Fetal Harm

If you have been in a car accident in Georgia, Georgia law allows you to file a claim with your own insurance company, with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or directly against the responsible party. If you have lost a fetus or if your fetus has suffered harm in an auto accident caused by another’s fault, you have the right to seek damages for both economic and noneconomic (e.g., pain and suffering) losses.

Jason R. Schultz
Helping Georgia area residents with car accident, medical malpractice, and personal injury claims since 1991.