Being involved in a car accident is frightening under any circumstances — but when you’re pregnant, the fear multiplies. Suddenly, it’s not just your own health at risk — it’s the well-being of your unborn child. Even a seemingly minor crash can raise serious concerns about injuries sustained by both the mother and the baby, potential pregnancy complications, and the need for immediate medical attention.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we understand that a motor vehicle accident during pregnancy creates a unique set of challenges — both medical and legal. From mounting medical expenses related to prenatal care to the emotional trauma of worrying about your unborn child’s health, the road to recovery can be overwhelming.
The settlement for a car accident while pregnant varies widely based on the severity of injuries to both the mother and unborn child. In New Jersey, settlements can range from $15,000 for minor injuries to over $500,000 or more for severe cases involving permanent injuries, pregnancy complications, or wrongful death. Every case is unique, and factors like medical expenses, emotional distress, and insurance coverage heavily influence the final settlement amount.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through why “average settlement” numbers can be misleading, the key factors that impact your settlement value, what steps you should take after an accident, and why working with an experienced car accident lawyer is critical to protecting both you and your unborn baby’s future.
| A personal injury settlement is highly individualized and cannot be accurately predicted. Average settlement amounts are for informational purposes only and do not guarantee a specific outcome for your case. Factors like injury severity, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering significantly impact settlement amounts. Consulting with a personal injury attorney is essential to assess the value of your specific case. |
Why “Average Settlement” Numbers Are Misleading
When searching for answers after a car accident while pregnant, it’s natural to wonder: What is the average settlement for a car accident while pregnant? Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer — and relying on an “average settlement amount” can be dangerously misleading.
Every car accident case is different, especially when it involves a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Settlements can vary widely based on the severity of injuries sustained, medical expenses related to pregnancy complications, and emotional distress experienced by the mother. Even two car crash victims with seemingly similar injuries may end up with very different settlement values due to differences in insurance coverage, liability disputes, or long-term medical care needs.
Additionally, average settlement figures are often skewed by extreme cases — such as wrongful death claims involving a miscarriage or birth defects caused by direct trauma. These severe and heartbreaking cases can result in significantly higher settlement amounts, making the “average” figure unrealistic for most accident victims.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we believe you deserve more than a number pulled from a statistic. Your case deserves a personalized evaluation that fully considers your medical care needs, emotional trauma, and any future challenges you may face. Protecting your rights — and your unborn baby’s future — requires more than guesswork; it requires strategic legal representation backed by real experience.
Key Factors Affecting Settlement Amounts
The value of a settlement for a car accident while pregnant depends on many important factors. No two cases are identical, especially when injuries affect both the mother and the unborn child. Understanding these key elements can help you see how a car accident lawyer will evaluate your case and fight for maximum compensation.
Severity of Injuries
The extent of injuries sustained by the mother, unborn baby, or both plays a major role. Serious injuries — such as internal bleeding, head injury, neck injuries, or physical trauma leading to premature birth — can significantly increase the settlement value. Cases involving permanent injuries or extended hospital stays in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often result in much higher settlements.
| To recover full compensation after a car accident while pregnant, injuries must be properly documented by a qualified medical professional |
Medical Expenses
Medical bills can quickly add up after a motor vehicle accident involving a pregnant woman. Costs may include emergency room visits, prenatal monitoring, specialized medical equipment, delivery complications, and long-term care for a high-risk pregnancy. All medical expenses related to the accident are considered when determining a fair settlement.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
If the accident leads to missed work or the need for extended maternity leave, compensation for lost wages becomes a crucial part of the claim. In severe cases, where the mother’s ability to return to her previous job is impacted, future earning capacity losses may also be included.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond physical pain, emotional trauma and emotional distress are real and compensable damages. The psychological toll of worrying about the unborn child’s health, experiencing a high-risk pregnancy protocol, or suffering pregnancy complications can significantly impact the non-economic damages awarded.
Liability and Comparative Negligence
New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are found partially at fault for the car wreck, your settlement may be reduced. For example, if you were deemed 20% responsible for the car accident, your total compensation would be reduced by 20%.
Insurance Policy Limits
Sometimes, even with serious injuries, the at-fault party’s insurance coverage limits how much can be recovered. In severe car accident cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death claims, the available insurance coverage may cap what can be collected unless other avenues of compensation exist.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we understand how devastating a car accident while pregnant can be. That’s why we work closely with medical professionals, gather every piece of evidence, and fight aggressively to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
After a car accident while pregnant, one of the first questions many car accident victims ask is what kind of settlement they can expect. While every case is unique, understanding general settlement ranges in New Jersey can provide a helpful starting point.
Typical Settlement Ranges in New Jersey
Minor Injuries (No Serious Complications) — $15,000 to $50,000
For cases where the pregnant woman and unborn baby suffer no serious or permanent injuries, typical car accident settlements in New Jersey range from $15,000 to $50,000. These cases often involve short-term medical care and emotional distress, but no lasting complications.
Severe Injuries or Pregnancy Complications — $100,000 to $500,000+
When a car accident causes serious injuries such as internal injuries, premature birth, or the need for extended hospital stays, settlement amounts can climb dramatically. Compensation accounts for both medical expenses related to a high-risk pregnancy and emotional trauma.
Wrongful Death Claims (Miscarriage, Birth Defects, or Death of the Unborn Baby) — $500,000 to $1,000,000+
In tragic cases involving miscarriage, birth defects, or death of the unborn child, settlements are often much higher. While New Jersey law does not allow wrongful death claims for an unborn fetus itself, compensation for emotional trauma, medical expenses, and the mother’s injuries can still be substantial.
Legal Limitations on Claims Involving Unborn Children
While pregnant women injured in a car accident can seek compensation for their own injuries — including emotional damages caused by pregnancy complications or miscarriage — New Jersey law does not allow a wrongful death claim for an unborn fetus. However, compensation for emotional distress, physical injuries, and related medical expenses is still available when properly documented.
It’s also important to understand that to recover significant damages, there must typically be objective medical evidence of a permanent injury. Without clear medical documentation, an accident victim may be denied compensation altogether or receive only a minimal settlement. Working with experienced legal and medical professionals is critical to building a strong, well-supported claim.
Medical and Legal Steps to Take After an Accident
If you’re a pregnant woman involved in a car accident, your immediate actions can have a major impact — not only on your health and your unborn child’s safety but also on your ability to seek fair compensation later. Here’s what you should do:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine after a car crash, you must seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries sustained, such as internal bleeding, placental abruption, or shaken baby syndrome, might not show symptoms right away. Medical professionals can run critical tests to ensure both you and your unborn baby are stable. Following a high-risk pregnancy protocol early can be lifesaving.
Report the Accident
In New Jersey, it’s essential to report any motor vehicle accident to the police, especially if there are injuries involved. A police report serves as an important piece of evidence in your car accident case and helps document liability.
Document Everything
Keep detailed records. Save all medical bills, accident reports, hospital discharge papers, prescriptions for medical equipment, and records of any extended hospital stays. Taking photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and collecting witness contact information can also strengthen your legal case.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
Dealing with insurance companies on your own can be overwhelming — especially when they try to offer low settlements quickly after an accident leads to injury. An experienced car accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you pursue maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and any long-term impacts on you or your unborn child.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we offer free consultations to help car accident victims understand their legal options and begin taking the right steps toward recovery.
Special Considerations for Pregnant Accident Victims
Pregnant women involved in a car accident face unique risks that go far beyond typical personal injury claims. Even in a seemingly minor car wreck, the potential for serious injuries — both to the mother and the unborn baby — must be taken seriously.
Pregnancy-Specific Complications
Car accidents can trigger a range of complications, including placental abruption, preterm labor, miscarriage, and birth defects. In some cases, physical trauma can lead to direct injuries to the unborn child, resulting in high-risk deliveries, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, or even wrongful death claims if the worst occurs.
Emotional Trauma and Psychological Impact
The emotional trauma associated with a car accident during pregnancy cannot be overstated. Many mothers experience intense fear, anxiety, and even depression after suffering injuries sustained in a crash. These non-economic damages — emotional distress, mental anguish, and psychological suffering — are very real and should be factored into any settlement for a car accident while pregnant.
New Jersey Law Favors Full Compensation
Fortunately, New Jersey does not place a cap on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. This means that victims who suffer severe and permanent injuries, physical pain, emotional trauma, or significant medical costs can pursue full and fair settlement amounts without artificial limits imposed by the state.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we understand how delicate these cases are. We work closely with medical professionals to document all aspects of your injuries, pregnancy complications, and emotional trauma — ensuring that insurance companies, judges, or juries see the full picture when calculating your rightful compensation.
Every car accident involving a pregnant woman is unique — and so is every settlement. There’s no true “average settlement” that can account for the physical pain, emotional distress, medical expenses, and fear that a mother experiences after a crash. Whether your injuries were minor or life-altering, you deserve personalized legal representation that treats your case with the care and urgency it deserves.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we are committed to standing by your side every step of the way. Our experienced team understands the medical complexities, the emotional toll, and the legal process needed to seek maximum compensation for both the mother’s injuries and the unborn child’s future.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident while pregnant, don’t navigate the legal system alone. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your legal options, build a strong case, and fight for the fair settlement you deserve — so you can focus on healing and protecting your family’s future.
Call us at (908) 279-7979 or fill out our online form to get started. We’re here for you.
