Car accident settlements in Texas can range from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000, depending on the circumstances. But, if you have a car accident while pregnant, your case can settle for higher amounts than other cases because of medical risks and emotional trauma.
However, every car accident claim is unique, and settlements differ from case to case.
So, how much is your case worth?
We’ll help you assess by exploring the factors influencing settlement amounts and the steps you should take after an accident to protect your rights. We’ll also address common pregnancy risks after an accident, wrongful death lawsuits for miscarriages, seatbelt safety, and more.
Because these cases can be legally, medically, and emotionally complex, they require careful attention to detail. The best thing you can do for your case is seek help from a strong advocate who understands the stakes.
Reach out to No Bull Law for a free case evaluation if you’d like us to take on your case with the determination you deserve.
The average settlement for a motor vehicle accident while pregnant is tough to estimate due to limited data and settlement confidentiality.
Essentially, there is no official data source, so there’s no official average either.
However, it may help to know that the average car accident settlement in Texas is around $25,000 and that the average for a car accident settlement with someone pregnant is likely higher.
That said, it all depends on the specific circumstances of your case.
Factors Affecting Car Accident Settlements While Pregnant
Having a personal injury lawyer can also significantly impact your outcome. A study by the Insurance Research Council shows settlements are, on average, 3 to 3.5 times higher when a car accident lawyer is involved.
Some other factors that could play a role in determining your settlement amount include:
- Injury Severity: A severe injury tends to be more costly to treat, has longer recovery times (possibly leading to lost wages), and can be more emotionally taxing.
The risk extends beyond your own injuries—there could be potential harm to the child, such as birth complications or developmental issues. So, your case may settle for more if the accident resulted in a severe injury.
- Extent of Damage: Severe accidents can cause more significant property damage to your vehicle, which means it’ll be costlier to repair, or may even need to be replaced. The more damage your car has sustained, the higher the settlement. The value of your car can also have an impact, especially if it’s beyond repair.
- Types of Damages — There are three types:
- Economic damages: Includes medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and legal costs.
- Non-economic damages: Includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. These are assigned value by severity.
- Punitive damages: A court can award additional compensation if the at-fault driver displayed gross negligence or malice.
- The Stage of Gestation: Car accidents can cause serious bodily injury, pregnancy complications, financial costs, and emotional distress at any stage of gestation. However, vehicle accidents are significantly more dangerous for a victim in the second and third trimesters. You may require costly specialized care, and pregnancy loss at these stages can be especially traumatic, sometimes leading to higher settlements.
- Insurance Limits: The at-fault driver's policy may cap what the insurer must pay. If full compensation through insurance is impossible, a lawyer can explain your other options, such as filing a lawsuit.
- Liability: Comparative negligence laws in Texas may reduce settlements if the fault is shared. For instance, the adjuster may claim that the car accident victim was 10% at fault for the accident and reduce your settlement offer by 10%. However, a skilled lawyer can help you dispute fault accusations and gather evidence for your innocence to protect your claim.
Because there are so many variables to your final settlement amount, you’ll want to have a lawyer in your corner who can make sure nothing is missed. People who try to go at it alone typically end up with a lower payout because they make mistakes that hurt their case.
But even when you have a lawyer, knowing what to do after your accident to protect your claim can help.
Your first priority after an auto accident while pregnant would be to make sure you and your baby are safe. The next step would be to avoid incriminating yourself and take every step to secure your claim.
Here’s what you should do as a pregnant victim:
- Seek medical care immediately, even for minor accidents, and even if you believe you believe you didn’t suffer any bodily injury.
- Inform your insurance company about the accident.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer to guide you, handle insurance communications, and protect you from missteps that could affect your car accident claim.
- Remember, personal injury lawyers usually take a cut (33-40%) of the final settlement, so you don’t have to worry about paying upfront. And you can still expect to receive a much larger payout after legal fees than you would get without a lawyer.
- File a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Gather and provide evidence, such as photos, medical bills, and proof of lost income — your lawyer can also help you do so.
- Insurance adjusters often make lowball offers, so work with your personal injury attorney to negotiate a fair settlement.
- File a lawsuit and proceed to court if a fair settlement isn’t reached through insurance. Your personal injury lawyer can represent you in this event.
This process should help you, as a pregnant victim of a car crash, secure the best compensation for financial and health-related damage.
Car accidents can lead to various pregnancy complications, including:
- High-risk pregnancy requiring frequent monitoring
- Premature birth or miscarriage
- Placental abruption, interrupting blood supply to the fetus
- Uterine rupture
- Maternal shock, where the body starts to reject the fetus to preserve the parent’s life
- Bleeding or hemorrhaging
- Birth defects resulting from trauma
All of these risks will add enough stress on their own, so handling the legal complexities of your case at the same time can feel impossible.
That’s why it helps to have an empathetic and skilled lawyer take on the legal tasks so you can focus on your health and get a settlement that reflects what you’ve been through.
Even more so in the worst-case scenario…
If god forbid, the worst should happen, and you miscarry as a result of a car crash, you may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas — regardless of the development stage of the unborn child.
Some fear that wearing a seatbelt may cause uterine injury by impacting the belly during vehicle accidents. However, studies show that fatalities in car accidents during pregnancy are significantly higher without seatbelts.
Additionally, not wearing one in Texas can affect comparative negligence calculations, potentially reducing your settlement amount. Always wear your seatbelt properly (across the middle of your chest and under your belly) to safeguard yourself and your personal injury claim.
How No Bull Law Can Help You Get Fair Compensation After a Car Accident While Pregnant
By now, you should have a clearer idea of what a car accident injury settlement entails, but it’s natural to still feel apprehensive.
Thankfully, much of your anxiety can be eased with an experienced personal injury law firm, like No Bull Law, in your corner.
No Bull Law is a personal injury law firm with dedicated attorneys who are experienced, specialized, compassionate, and ready to seek justice for your case.
Here’s how it works:
- Reach out for a free case evaluation to discuss your unique personal injury claim.
- We review your case details and evidence.
- If we take your case, we fight to win — no fees unless we secure a settlement or verdict in your favor.
Our personal injury lawyers provide clarity, guidance, and peace of mind as we handle forms, deadlines, and communications with insurance companies. This allows you to focus on healing while we work on getting you the compensation you deserve.
Contact No Bull Law now — no hassle, just ideal outcomes.
