I was in a car accident while pregnant. What should I do, and do I have a claim?

Get medical care the same day, even if you feel fine, and tell every provider how far along you are. Some pregnancy complications from a crash, like placental abruption, can show up hours after the collision. If another driver caused the crash, you can claim for your own injuries in Massachusetts, including surgery such as an emergency C-section, and a baby injured before birth may have a separate claim of their own.

Get checked right away, even after a minor crash

A seat belt or airbag can injure the abdomen even when you walk away feeling okay. After a crash during pregnancy, doctors often want to monitor you and your baby for several hours. Go to the emergency room or call your OB right away, and get care immediately if you notice:

• Vaginal bleeding or leaking fluid
• Abdominal pain, cramping, or contractions
• A hard or tender belly
• Your baby moving less than usual

Getting care quickly also creates the medical record that connects any complication to the crash. Read do I really need to see a doctor if I feel okay?

Your claim

If another driver caused the crash, your claim against them can cover:

• Medical bills, including emergency care, monitoring, and surgery
• Lost wages while you recover
• Pain and suffering, once your injuries meet the Massachusetts threshold. See can I get pain and suffering in Massachusetts?

An emergency cesarean section is major surgery, with a longer recovery than a vaginal delivery, and surgery matters when a claim is valued. See does surgery affect my case? Your own auto policy and your health insurance usually pay the medical bills first. Read who pays my medical bills after an accident?

Does my baby have a claim?

A baby who is hurt by a crash before birth may have a separate claim, brought by a parent on the child's behalf. That claim is about the child's own injuries, such as pain and suffering after birth from complications the crash caused. It is separate from the mother's claim and is valued on its own.

A baby's claim often waits until the child's medical records show the full picture, since some effects of an early delivery only become clear over time. These cases turn on the medical records for both mother and baby, so the details matter. A lawyer can review whether your child has a claim and when to bring it.

A recent result

In November 2026, our firm settled a case for a client who was in her third trimester when another driver ran a red light and broadsided her car. The crash caused a placental abruption, and doctors performed an emergency C-section and delivered her baby early. The at-fault driver's insurer paid its full $100,000 policy limit. See more of our recent settlements.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.

When the insurance limit isn't enough

With serious injuries, the at-fault driver's policy limit can run out. Your own underinsured motorist coverage may add to what you recover. Learn how your own coverage works in what if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

What to do

1. Get medical care the same day, and tell providers you're pregnant and how many weeks along you are.
2. Call the police and get a copy of the crash report.
3. Keep every record: the ER visit, OB visits, monitoring, delivery records, and your baby's medical records.
4. Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. Read what to know before talking to the insurance company.
5. Don't settle until you and your baby's doctors know the full picture. See should I settle while I'm still treating?

Get a Free Consultation

Hurt in a crash while pregnant in Western Massachusetts? Call Attorney Daniel A. Pava at 413-781-8700 for a free, confidential review of your claim and your baby's. More on our Springfield car accident lawyer page.

Phone: (413) 781-8700
Email: daniel@pavalaw.com
Office: 1380 Main St, Suite 301, Springfield, MA 01103