Car Accident While Pregnant — Your Rights and What to Do in Arizona

A car accident is terrifying for anyone. When you’re pregnant, the fear is compounded — you’re not just worried about yourself, you’re worried about your baby.

If you were in a car accident while pregnant, here’s what you need to know.

Get Medical Attention Immediately — No Exceptions

Even in a minor fender-bender, if you are pregnant, go to the emergency room. Do not wait. Do not “see how you feel.” Certain pregnancy complications from car accidents — placental abruption, preterm labor, and uterine rupture — may not show symptoms immediately but can become life-threatening.

The ER will monitor you and your baby, check for signs of distress, and create the medical record that documents the connection between the accident and any complications.

Tell the ER staff you were in a car accident AND that you are pregnant. Make sure both facts are documented in your chart.

Unique Risks for Pregnant Accident Victims

Car accidents during pregnancy can cause complications that wouldn’t affect a non-pregnant person. The seatbelt itself — which you absolutely should still wear — can cause trauma to the abdomen in a collision. The force of impact can cause placental abruption even in low-speed crashes.

Additional risks include preterm contractions or preterm labor triggered by trauma, complications requiring emergency C-section, increased risk of miscarriage in the first trimester, and emotional trauma including anxiety and PTSD that can affect the pregnancy.

Every one of these complications is compensable under Arizona law.

Your Legal Rights in Arizona

Arizona allows you to recover compensation for all medical expenses related to the accident — including any additional prenatal monitoring, emergency care, additional ultrasounds, bed rest, or complications that arise because of the crash.

You can also recover for additional pain and suffering during pregnancy, emotional distress and anxiety about your baby’s health, lost wages if you’re placed on bed rest or restricted duties, and any long-term health consequences to you or your child that result from the accident.

Arizona’s pure comparative fault system means you can recover even if you were partially at fault.

What NOT to Do

Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company. The adjuster may try to minimize the connection between the accident and any pregnancy complications. Talk to an attorney first.

Do not skip follow-up appointments. Continue all recommended prenatal care and any additional monitoring your OB orders as a result of the accident. Gaps in treatment hurt your case.

Do not settle quickly. You won’t know the full impact of the accident on your pregnancy until you deliver. Complications can emerge weeks or months later. Do not sign a release until your doctor confirms both you and your baby are healthy.

Call Us

If you were in a car accident while pregnant, call (833) DTF-IGHT for a free consultation. We’ll handle the legal side so you can focus on what matters — your health and your baby.