Pregnant Women Face Increased Risk in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Each year, as many as 3,000 fetal deaths occur due to motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Even at low estimates, fetal death rates quadruple the fatality rates of children ages four and younger in motor vehicle accidents. In the greater Chicago area, a recent fatal motor vehicle accident reminded us of the dangers pregnant women and their unborn children face in automobile collisions.
On Monday May 22, a Carpentersville woman and her unborn child were killed after her Toyota Corolla was struck by a GMC Yukon. The Yukon pinned the Corolla against a utility box on the side of Golfview Lane in Carpentersville. Only after applying hydraulic tools were emergency personnel able to extract the victims from the Corolla. The additional four passengers in the Corolla were taken to the hospital and are now in stable condition.
This incident highlights the increased dangers that pregnant women face while driving and riding in motor vehicles. Every year, more than 116,000 pregnant women are injured in motor vehicle collisions throughout the United States. If you are injured in an automobile collision, contact our knowledgeable team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys today.
What is the Added Risk?
Pregnant women face a number of adverse health risks when riding in motor vehicles, and these include health risks that can impact the unborn child. Common fetal injuries that occur in motor vehicle collisions include placental abruption, direct fetal injury, and uterine rupture. In severe cases, both the mother and unborn child can be fatally injured.
Reducing the Risk
While pregnant women are constantly faced with the difficult task of protecting themselves and their unborn child, there are tactics women can use to limit the likelihood of fetal injury while riding in a motor vehicle. Moving the front seat as far back as possible can limit the impact that an airbag will have on the child. A sound metric for this is to always ensure that one’s breast bone is at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel.
Another key tip is wearing the lap belt of one’s seat belt underneath one’s belly and the shoulder belt, per usual, in the center of the chest. Wearing one’s seat belt correctly can limit the increased dangers of traveling via motor vehicle while pregnant.
Contact a Compassionate Lake County Car Accident Lawyer
Despite our best efforts, accidents happen every single day. If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by another's negligence, it is paramount to pursue legal help as quickly as possible. For more information on the steps to take after an automobile collision, contact our experienced and compassionate team of skilled Waukegan personal injury attorneys today.
Sources:
https://saferide4kids.com/blog/pregnant-driving-stats/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-carpentersville-fatal-crash-st-0523-story.html
https://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/driving-pregnant-seatbelts-and-airbags.html
Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.