Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys Focus on Fetal Death Accidents

Indiana Accident Law Firm Pursues Maximum Compensation for Accident Victims

While wearing a seatbelt that is correctly adjusted and positioned in a car during pregnancy is effective at reducing the risk of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, the improper placement of a seatbelt can have the opposite effect. When women are properly restrained, adverse pregnancy outcomes happen in approximately 29 percent of car accidents. However, in those not properly restrained, negative fetal outcomes occurred in half of all automobile crashes.

Early in pregnancy, the woman’s belly may not be big enough to place the lap seatbelt below the abdomen and placement of the lap seatbelt over the top of the uterus increases pressure and the risk of uterine injury during a crash. However, regardless of the risks, pregnant women need to wear seatbelts through all stages of their pregnancies, as buckling up properly is the single most effective mode of protection in the event of a crash.

How a Pregnant Woman Can Safely Restrain Herself in an Automobile

Pregnant women need to be aware of how to best protect themselves and their babies throughout their pregnancies:

• Shoulder belts need to be worn away from the neck but not off the shoulder, secured across the chest (between the breasts), and never placed under the arm or behind the back.
• Lap belts should be secured below the belly to fit snugly across the hips and pelvic bone, and never the placed over the top of the belly.
• The seat should be adjusted for a comfortable, upright position, keeping as much distance as possible between the belly and the steering wheel. Pregnant women should avoid reclining the seat more than necessary and letting their bellies touch the steering wheel.

Contact an Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm Today

If you were the victim of an automobile accident that resulted in fetal death, contact the personal injury attorneys at Kelly Law Offices, LLC online or call 1-800-859-8800 to set up your free initial consultation today. There is never a fee unless you collect!