What Should You Do After an Accident While Pregnant?

February 17, 2026

Dennis Hernandez

An accident is stressful for anyone, but when you are pregnant, the physical and emotional stakes rise dramatically. Even a seemingly minor crash can cause complications for both mother and child, from hidden internal injuries to stress-induced labor. In these situations, seeking prenatal car accident compensation becomes crucial to protect your health, your baby’s well-being, and your legal rights.

Understanding exactly what steps to take after a collision can protect you from preventable harm and ensure you have the strongest case possible if you need to pursue prenatal car accident compensation.

At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we have recovered millions and millions for clients who were injured due to negligence. We fight to get you paid!

Why Is It Critical to Seek Medical Attention Immediately?

After an accident, adrenaline can mask pain or symptoms, making injuries harder to detect. This is especially true during pregnancy. Trauma to the abdomen can cause complications like placental abruption, preterm contractions, or fetal distress, even if there are no immediate warning signs. In such cases, pursuing prenatal car accident compensation can help cover medical expenses and ensure both mother and baby receive the care they need.

Under Florida Statutes §316.062, drivers involved in crashes resulting in injury or serious property damage must stop, provide identifying information, and render aid. Calling 911 ensures an ambulance or first responders arrive quickly, and also establishes an official incident report, which can be crucial when seeking prenatal car accident compensation to document the circumstances and support medical claims.

From there, an emergency physician or your obstetrician should conduct a full evaluation. This may include ultrasounds, fetal monitoring, and blood tests to confirm that both you and your baby are stable. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), even minor accidents during pregnancy warrant medical evaluation to detect hidden injuries.

What Legal Protections Apply in a Pregnancy Accident Injury Florida Case?

Florida law allows injured accident victims to seek damages when another party’s negligence causes harm. In cases involving pregnancy, the legal considerations are more complex because you are essentially protecting two lives.

Under Florida’s no-fault system (§627.736), your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage can pay up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. However, when your injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in §627.737, you can step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver, pursuing prenatal car accident compensation to cover additional medical care, ongoing treatment, and other related expenses for both mother and child.

Pregnancy-related injuries that threaten the health of mother or child often meet this threshold. Additionally, Florida recognizes claims for prenatal injuries sustained by an unborn child if they are born alive and later suffer harm linked to the accident, making it possible to pursue prenatal car accident compensation for both immediate and long-term medical care.

How Can Documentation Strengthen Your Claim?

A well-documented case is much stronger in settlement negotiations or in court. In the moments after the accident, try to gather:

Photographs of all vehicles, visible injuries, skid marks, and any road hazards
Witness names and contact information
The other driver’s license, registration, and insurance details
Copies of police and incident reports

It’s also wise to keep a detailed journal noting physical symptoms, emotional distress, and any changes in your pregnancy. This documentation can be crucial evidence for your personal injury law firm when proving the value of your claim.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Prenatal Car Accident?

Liability depends on the facts, but common responsible parties include:

Another driver whose negligence caused the collision
A vehicle manufacturer if a defect contributed to the crash
A tire manufacturer if a blowout or defect played a role
Government entities for dangerous road conditions (§768.28)

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system (§768.81), which reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages.

What Damages Are Available in a Pregnancy Accident Injury Florida Case?

If your injuries qualify under the serious injury threshold, you may recover both economic and non-economic damages, including:

Medical expenses: Current and future medical care, prenatal monitoring, delivery-related complications, and neonatal care if the child is affected.
Lost wages: Compensation for missed work due to recovery or medical restrictions such as bed rest.
Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress, including anxiety about your pregnancy.
Future care costs: Long-term expenses for either mother or child if lasting injury occurred.

According to the National Safety Council, the average economic cost of a disabling motor vehicle injury in 2022 exceeded $155,000, making it vital to seek full recovery.

How Does Insurance Affect Your Right to Compensation?

Insurance coverage can be a major hurdle. Many at-fault drivers have minimal liability limits, and your own insurer may resist paying the full value of a prenatal car accident compensation claim, making it essential to work with an experienced attorney who understands the unique challenges of protecting both mother and child.

Your attorney can help by:

Reviewing your PIP, health insurance, and any optional coverage like uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
Identifying all possible insurance sources, including the at-fault driver’s policy and any umbrella coverage
Handling negotiations to avoid lowball offers

Remember, quick settlements often undervalue the long-term costs of pregnancy-related injuries.

Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm Quickly?

Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, updated in 2023 (§95.11), generally gives you just two years to file a lawsuit. This may seem like plenty of time, but building a strong case takes months of investigation, evidence gathering, and negotiations.

An experienced personal injury law firm can:

Investigate the crash scene and obtain expert accident reconstruction if needed
Work with medical experts to prove how the crash affected your pregnancy
Handle all insurer communications so you can focus on recovery
File a lawsuit and prepare for trial if fair settlement talks fail

How Should You Interact With Insurance Adjusters?

Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s financial interests, not yours. If you are contacted:

Stick to the facts about the accident
Avoid giving opinions or speculating about injuries
Politely decline recorded statements until you consult your attorney

This approach ensures you don’t inadvertently harm your claim.

Can Emotional Distress Be Compensated?

Yes. Emotional distress is a recognized non-economic damage in Florida. A pregnancy accident can lead to anxiety, depression, or even PTSD. These conditions, if documented by a mental health professional, can be part of your compensation claim.

Counseling or therapy serves both your recovery and your legal case. Jurors and insurers often give greater weight to mental health claims backed by medical documentation.

What Steps Can Expectant Mothers Take to Reduce Risk?

While you can’t eliminate all risks, you can take precautions:

Wear your seatbelt correctly, with the lap belt under your belly and the shoulder belt between your breasts
Keep airbags functional and properly maintained
Avoid high-risk driving conditions when possible
Maintain your vehicle’s brakes, tires, and lights

These steps can reduce, but never entirely eliminate, the risk of a pregnancy accident injury Florida.

What’s the Bottom Line After a Crash During Pregnancy?

The aftermath of an accident while pregnant can be overwhelming. By acting quickly, getting the right medical care, documenting everything, and securing strong legal representation, you can protect both your health and your rights.

At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we fight to get you paid! We have decades of experience handling complex injury cases, including those involving pregnancy. Our goal is to pursue the maximum prenatal car accident compensation you and your child deserve.