When a person is pregnant, they generally want to take every precaution they can to ensure a safe pregnancy. One thing they often do not know to be aware of is the danger of a car accident for pregnant women. A new study shows that it could be even higher than others have known. If you are involved in an accident and require the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
The Second Trimester is Found to Be the Most Dangerous Time for Accidents
A study has shown that pregnant drivers need to be particularly careful in their second trimester because that is when they are statistically more likely to be involved in a car accident. Overall, the study found that pregnant drivers are 42% more likely to be involved in a car accident than when not pregnant.
The Specifics of the Study
The study looked at the records of more than half a million women in a five-year period. They compared their risk of a car accident before they were pregnant, during their pregnancy, and after their pregnancy. It only considered accidents with injuries serious enough that the women went to the emergency room. The study found that before pregnancy the women had an average of 177 auto accidents per month, compared to 252 per month while pregnant.
There Are a Few Things to Note About the Statistics
While this can be quite terrifying to consider, it is important to know a few things about the data that was collected and the statistics that were drawn from it. First, note that though the researchers did their best to look at a diverse population from a variety of backgrounds, there were other factors that could have affected a person’s relative risk.
One example is that accidents were more common in the fall and winter months, and afternoons were also the most likely to be the time an accident occurred. The data were not corrected for this information, so if a woman is in her second trimester, she might be in less danger if it is during the summer or spring months.
Why is the Second Trimester More Dangerous?
While the data could not pinpoint a definite reason for the increase in danger, researchers did not have some ideas. They said that the second trimester is often when the woman feels most confident and safe in her pregnancy, which means she might not take the same safety precautions she would take earlier or later in her pregnancy.
If you are injured in a car accident while pregnant, you need a compassionate attorney who can work to hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
